YouTube showing Besson documentary 'Home'

YouTube on Friday announced it is showing "Home," an environmental documentary about Earth produced by French filmmaker Luc Besson, at the same time as it is being released in theaters.

YouTube, in a post on the company blog, said the event "marks the first time a global audience can watch a movie online, in movie theaters, on TV stations, and on outdoor screens around the world at the exact same time."

It said "Home," directed by Yann Arthus-Bertrand, will be available on YouTube in French, English, Spanish, German, Russian and Portuguese through June 14 at youtube.com/homeproject.

The filmmakers said "Home" was being released in 50 countries on Friday to mark World Environment Day.

Google bought YouTube in 2006 for 1.65 billion dollars but the Mountain View, California-based Internet search and advertising giant has not yet managed to turn a profit with the site despite its massive global popularity.

YouTube has been gradually adding professional content such as full-length television shows and movies to its vast trove of amateur video offerings in a bid to attract advertisers.

It recently announced partnerships with Sony Pictures and other Hollywood studios and rolled out new platforms for watching television shows and movies.

(c) 2009 AFP