Yahoo is close to unveiling details of a paid, subscription-based Internet video service that will compete with a similar product from RealNetworks, according to sources familiar with the plans. Sources said the company is preparing to introduce the service, called "Platinum Yahoo," by the end of March. An announcement could come as early as Wednesday during an event with Wall Street analysts and reporters. As previously reported, Yahoo last year began testing user appetite for such a product as part of a companywide effort to develop nonadvertising, subscription-based services.
Yahoo has been in discussions with television networks to become content partners in the new service, which could feature video clips from News Corp."s Fox network, Viacom"s CBS and Walt Disney"s ABCNews.com, according to sources close to the negotiations. The sources cautioned, though, that deals have not been sealed and plans could change.
One source close to the discussions described the talks as "active," while another described negotiations with one network as "close to agreement." Yahoo declined to comment. Fox and ABCNews also declined to comment. CBS did not immediately return phone calls.