Google Launches YouTube Movies Service in Canada

6:30 AM PDT 9/1/2011 by Etan Vlessing

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The online movie content play will compete against Netflix Canada, Apple's iTunes and Canadian cable and telecom giants as they target local movies lovers.

TORONTO -- Google has taken a run at Netflix Canada by launching its YouTube Movies service in Canada.

Another Google content play

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The YouTube-based movie rental service will kick off with around 3,000 new and classic movie titles for rent at $3.99 or $4.99 each.

YouTube Movies, which has been operating stateside since May, has lined up Canadian movie titles from major local distributors like Mongrel Media and Alliance Films.

The Google rental service offers more new Hollywood titles than Netflix Canada, with the Kat Dennings-starrer Daydream Nation, Arthur and Your Highness among the early offerings.

But YouTube Movies in Canada is up against stiff competition from Netflix Canada offering around 1 million Canadian subscribers unlimited films and TV series for a flat $7.99 per-month fee, and on a host of additional digital platforms.

There’s also more competition in Canada with movies for rent and sale on iTunes, and local cable and telecom giants bolstering their own on-demand movie offerings to fend off competition from existing and future U.S. digital platforms setting up north of the border.