YouTube

- Sold to Google for $1.65 billion on October 9, 2006; the deal was finalized November 13, 2006The Age: Google closes $A2b YouTube deal (November 14, 2006)
- Searching Google Video yields both Google Video and YouTube results
- First video, entitled "Me at the zoo" was uploaded at 8: 27PM on Saturday April 23, 2005YouTube: [Me at the zoo
- YouTube videos can be accessed via the iPhone and iPod mobile devices
- In March of 2008, YouTube introduced the YouTube Insight tool to allow uploaders to track who views their videos

YouTube is an Internet video sharing website. Anyone may view most YouTube videos by simply visiting the site, but must sign up for a free account to view videos of offensive or adult nature, leave comments or upload videos.
On January 15, 2009, YouTube announced that videos on their service would be viewable through Apple TV, TiVo and the gaming consoles Nintendo Wii and Playstation 3.Techcrunch: YouTube Comes To The Wii And PS3, But Not Xbox
Copyright Violations

YouTube has continued to fight copyright violations even more so after the buy-out by Google. In January 2009 they unveiled a new method of fighting copyright issues. Some videos now display the video portion only, without the soundtrack. A note appears indicating that the soundtrack was removed for copyright violations. Previously, those who challenged copyright violations on the site were able to either share advertising revenues from the video or have the video pulled entirely.Idolator: YouTube hits the mute button (January 16, 2009)
Creation

YouTube was originally founded in February, 2005 by former PayPal employees Chad Hurley, Steve Chen and Jawed Karim. First started in a garage, the venture grew over the next several months, securing a $8.5 million investment from Sequoia Capital in 2005.Time: The Gurus of YouTube (December 16, 2006)
Popularity

In, 2006, YouTube videos accounted for an estimated 60% of the online viewing market. The company revealed in July of 2006 that over 100 million videos were being watched daily and over 65,000 videos were being uploaded each month.USA Today: YouTube serves up 100 million videos a day online (July 16, 2008)
Controversy

Several countries including Iran, Turkey, Morocco, China, Brazil and Pakistan have banned YouTube for periods of time for violations of local laws. Many schools also have banned YouTube from their classrooms due to inappropriate and violent content of the videos.Mashable: Censored: List of Countries that Banned YouTube (May 30, 2007)
CBS Deal

In an agreement that blurs the line between television and online content, episodes of CBS shows will reportedly be aired in their entirety--complete with commercials--on YouTube.MarketWatch: Google taps full-length shows to bolster (October 10, 2008) The programs will include Dexter, Star Trek, The Young and the Restless, Beverly Hills 90210 and Californication.MarketWatch: Google taps full-length shows to bolster (October 10, 2008) Red Herring: YouTube to Run Full-Length CBS Shows (October 10, 2008)