YouTube to Run Full Length Episodes of Star Trek, 90210

Google-owned YouTube has announced that it will start streaming full length programming on the video-sharing site.

Last week, YouTube rolled out a new "Theatre View" for when users are watching particularly long clips. Blacking out the rest of your browser and adding red velvet "curtains" on either side of the clip is intended to provide “optimal experience for watching full-length programming on your computer.” While this feature is arguably pointless, it does go hand in hand with the site’s decision to stream full episodes of TV shows such as Star Trek and Beverly Hills 90210.

YouTube is currently just testing the new format, and while it seems like a great deal for users (free Star Trek and that), GooTube is bursting your bubble with advertising.

“We also want to ensure that our partners have more options when it comes to advertising on their full-length TV shows. You may see in-stream video ads (including pre-, mid- and post-rolls) embedded in some of these episodes ; this advertising format will only appear on premium content where you are most comfortable seeing such ads.”

Joy of joys. While it’d be nice to see full length episodes of TV shows (YouTube doesn’t mention anything other than the aforementioned Star Trek and Beverly Hills), the chances users will want to watch content embedded with ads is slim. YouTube has labeled full length clips with a Flim Strip icon so you know which ones to avoid.