Broadcast yourself - oh and watch movies. YouTube to offer free movie service

Video sharing website YouTube, which is already home to videos of everything from the sublime to the ridiculous, has announced plans to make full length movies available online for free.

More than 400 films will be available on www.youtube.com/movies - a range which “brings together a library of film ranging from past mainstream hits to cult classics and beyond" according to the Google-owned video site. The new service has been brought about after YouTube struck deals with UK online film and TV aggregator Blinkbox and various US studios, allowing it to offer movies such as The Addiction, Dark Side of the Sun and classic Cathy Come Home.

"This is one of many efforts to ensure that people can find all the different kinds of video they want to see, from bedroom vlogs and citizen journalism reports to full-length films and TV shows," commented YouTube's head of video partnerships, Donagh O'Malley. "We hope film lovers enjoy the range of titles in this free library, whether catching up on a mainstream hit or delving into the vast archive of classic films from decades past."

The site already offers a catch-up TV service (who doesn't, these days?) on www.youtube.com/shows, which shows full length programmes from Channel 4 and Five; and the US site has been offering film services since April. Blinkbox, meanwhile, is in it to build brand recognition for its service which allows users to  preview, buy and rent full length movies and TV shows online - some at a cost and some for free provided you can stand the adverts.

"The size and scope of YouTube's audience is immense and this exciting tie-up allows us to reach film fans and potential users outside of our usual audience and helps us build on our already rapidly growing customer base," said Blinkbox chief executive, Michael Comish.