YouTube has launched a new section of it's site called 'Shows' that will stream some of Channel 4's most successful programmes for free. Thanks to a partnership between the two companies UK YouTube users will be able to access and view for free, full length episodes of hit shows such as The Inbetweeners, Peep Show, Farther Ted and The IT Crowd to name but a few.

At launch there are approximately 5000 videos on YouTube Shows, of which around 4000 are full length episodes from around 60 partners according to The Guardian. Some other partners who have struck a deal to show their content on YouTube are reported as being the BBC, ITN, Turner Broadcasting, Classic Media and North One.

YouTube says that with its partner's, the number of shows available will increase significantly over the coming months. Channel 4 hopes to have it's full line-up of programming available on YouTube by early 2010. All the shows will be available for viewing free of charge in the UK, however some shows will carry advertising if the owner requires it.

Patrick Walker, YouTube's video partnerships director, said "The shows section of the site will make it easier for users to discover videos from the biggest names in British broadcasting, and help our content partners reach new audiences and generate new revenues,".

After buying YouTube out for over $1.5 billion three years ago Google has not made a penny out of the video sharing site. Google wants the new partnerships to bring a new audience and business model to YouTube and hopes it can provide new avenues of interest for its partners.  By incorporating adverts into videos on YouTube, Google through revenue sharing deals might finally turn YouTube into a profitable business for it's self and provide another method of revenue for it's partners.

Sources: The Guardian, TechRadar