YouTube launches new global channels

SAN FRANCISCO—YouTube is launching dozens of new original programming channels, including several from France, Germany and Britain.

The Google-owned online video service said this “new generation” of more than 50 channels would include topics such as fashion, automobiles, gaming and other topics.

“From local cuisine, health and wellness and parenting to sports, music, comedy, animation and news, this new lineup of original channels will have something for everyone,” YouTube’s Robert Kyncl said in a blog post Sunday.

“They are backed by some of the biggest producers, well-known celebrities and emerging media companies from Europe and the US.”

Some of the new channels include the US-produced “Daily Glow” beauty channel, Germany’s “Motorvision,” the French comedy channel “FFSK” and the British health channel “Body Talk Daily.”

The new channels join nearly 100 launched a year ago by YouTube to take advantage of the growing number of people shifting from broadcast television to the Internet.

YouTube said that its top 25 original channels are now averaging over one million views every week, and that 800 million people around the world are watching four billion hours every month, up from three billion hours earlier this year

Google bought YouTube in 2006 for $1.65 billion.

The Mountain View, California-based Internet search and advertising giant has not yet announced a profit for the video-sharing site despite its massive global popularity.

YouTube has been gradually adding professional content such as full-length television shows and movies to its vast trove of amateur video offerings in a bid to attract advertisers.