Report: Google to Offer Pay-Per-View YouTube (GOOG)

Google's GOOG YouTube website is in talks with Hollywood movie studios over a pay-per-view video service that could be launched by the end of the year, the Financial Times reported on Sunday. Google and YouTube "talked about how many people they could steer to this ... it's a huge number," the Financial Times quoted an executive with knowledge of the plans as saying. Viewers could stream films on YouTube and pay about $5 for newer titles. The service would compete with Amazon.com AMZN, Apple AAPL, and Netflix NFLX. According to a Reuters report, "The paper said negotiations have been ongoing for months, but have taken on a new urgency in recent weeks as Apple is expected this week to unveil developments to its TV service." The service would likely launch in the United States, with other countries to follow. Shares of Google closed higher by 1.75% Friday, to $458.83.