NBC Advertising on YouTube

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. NBC, which only a few months ago was asking YouTube to cease and desist from displaying its content, has signed an agreement to advertise its new shows on YouTube.

YouTube's distribution of the Lazy Sunday skit from Saturday Night Live created an online sensation, and now NBC will advertise The Office, SNL and other shows on YouTube.

This will give YouTube some needed cash while legitimizing the value of its multimillion viewer audience. Even Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic leader of the House, is using YouTube to distribute debates from the halls of Congress, and what's more, thousands of people are watching.

You can expect that more video publishers as well as print media will start requiring users to watch a video ad for free access to content.

Found via Adotas.