Apple started it with their iTunes Video Store where visitors can download thousands of music videos and TV Shows to their iPods for $1.99. Then Microsoft and Yahoo followed suit, each offering video hosting. Google Video has taken it a step farther by allowing users to post and sell their videos. Google also offers lots of free videos way outside the bounds of music video and TV shows. Here's an example of one of the free videos you can find at Google Video.

You can upload your videos and allow others to view them for free. At Google Video you will soon be able to sell your video as a download or a stream. Google will host your video, then when someone wants to download it, they can see a free sample and if they choose to buy it, then Google processes the credit card and keeps a small percentage, but to the producer there's no cost for hosting and indexing your video. At the moment Google is only offering this option to major producers, but this is sure to expand. To learn all about Google Video see Google Video Help Page

Google co-founder Larry Page spoke about it at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. He says "It lets anyone sell video. The content producers can decide what to charge." Mr Page also called for electronic gadget makers to agree on common standards so that devices would work with each other seamlessly and use a standard power supply.

Video is a battleground area for Google, Yahoo and Microsoft. Not only do these companies want to host video on the Internet, but to also offer their own software and services for the many new devices that play video such as cell phones, Ipods, PDAs, and media viewers. Who would have guessed 20 years ago that cell phones would carry TV shows and personal videos. But today, not only do cell phones display video, there are even ad agencies that specialize cell phone video commercials.

Just as newspapers are following their readers and moving content to the Internet so quickly, video and TV are also quickly moving to the Internet. Google's Ad Words Program has set the standard for advertising on the Internet. So Google seems a natural company to bring a successful revenue model to Internet video.

Video on the web has always included lots of silliness and Google video is no exception. You'll find lots of funny videos, many of which are in questionable taste.

When Google allows the open sale of video on the site, you will be charged a small percentage of the price you set if you choose to charge others to view your video. This makes it a very interesting model for video producers.

This looks to be a great opportunity for producers. Study it and take advantage of it. Let me know how it works for you. Share your experiences in our VideoUniversity Marketing and Business Forum

If you do a Google search for "video hosting" you will find thousands of results, many of them offering video hosting at no charge. Can they compete with Google Video? Time will tell.