YouTube boosts CBS's ratings

Filed in archive Internet TV on November 22, 2006

There are so many stories highlighting copyright infringements on YouTube that I thought it might be nice to look at a different case: that is, CBS embracing YouTube and getting results from it.

Several weeks ago, CBS began uploading clips of its shows such as "Survivor," "CSI" and "Late Show with david letterman," to YouTube. In total, CBS has placed more than 300 clips on the site.

And the result? Glad you asked: CBS has seen some ratings increases! The company said that "Letterman" has drawn 200,000 new viewers--a 5% increase, while "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" has increased its viewership by 100,000, or 7%, according to CBS and YouTube.

The conclusion is obvious: Web users viewed clips on YouTube, became fans, and then started watching the broadcast versions.