Google is working on a major overhaul of YouTube, people familiar with the matter told the Wall Street Journal. In an effort to compete with cable and broadcast companies, YouTube is planning a series of changes to its home page to highlight sets of "channels" around topics such as arts and sports. About 20 or so of those channels will feature several hours of professionally produced original programming a week, and additional channels would be assembled from content already on the site. The company is planning to spend as much as USD 100 million to commission low-cost content designed exclusively for the web, according to the report. A YouTube spokesman declined to comment. YouTube's changes are expected to be phased in over time, starting before the end of this year. The site is currently hiring people to help with the initiatives. YouTube is still in the process of designing the channels and in recent weeks held meetings with Hollywood talent agencies such as Creative Artists Agency, William Morris Endeavor and International Creative Management to discuss the possibility of their clients creating YouTube channels, the paper said. Some of the channels may contain content hand-picked by certain "tastemakers" who could attract a following. In addition to increasing the average time a YouTube user spends on the site, which stands at about 15 minutes a day, the moves are aimed at attracting new ad dollars.
