We had blogged about how Youtube got the rights to stream live feed of the much awaited IPL 3 this year and also for 2 years in a row. Now it seems weeks before the IPL is to hit Indian screens Youtube has roped in a major sponsor as well.
According to this report Youtube has signed on HSBC as one of the lead sponsors for the live online streaming of IPL matches. And thats now all sponsors like HP and Samsung are also evaluating participating in the sponsorship.
A little birdie told me that the cost per person reached for sponsoring on youtube is higher than what it is on TV for IPL as well. It means youtube is charging a higher premium per visitor than TV as well. (This information isn’t confirmed though)
The above sponsors for youtube ratifies the belief that if digital can bring content that sells than it can easily sell advertising to the big advertisers. Its also important to note that in this case its Google which is a large brand in itself and the advertisers would be more comfortable with them.
It remains to be seen how in the days coming ahead fringe but niche publishers and the longtail of India content players start making money and a living from the online medium.
