CBS clips top YouTube charts, boost ratings

NEW YORK (Reuters) - CBS Corp. (CBSa.N) video clips from David Letterman's talk show and drama "NCIS" are among the most watched on popular Internet video service YouTube, giving the network a boost in TV viewership, the companies said on Tuesday.

CBS uploaded more than 300 clips that averaged about 850,000 views per day in the first month, in an early sign that YouTube's deals with TV and traditional media businesses could be paying off, the companies said in a joint statement.

CBS said ratings of its late-night programs have seen increases since uploading the shows, including adding 5 percent or 200,000 new viewers to "Letterman" and adding 7 percent or 100,000 viewers to "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson."

"Although the success of these shows on YouTube is not the sole cause of the rise in television ratings, both companies believe that YouTube has brought a significant new audience of viewers to each broadcast," the companies said.

This month CBS had three of the top-25 most-viewed videos, according to YouTube.

Entertainment businesses like TV broadcasters and music labels have struggled in deciding how to work with video-sharing companies such as YouTube, which allow users to upload video clips that may at times infringe copyright laws.

But the sheer number of viewers -- YouTube has about 100 million views a day -- has encouraged music companies and TV networks to experiment with new technology rather than settle copyright infringement disputes in court.

Last month YouTube, which was bought by Web search company Google Inc. (GOOG.O) for $1.65 billion, signed separate deals with CBS, Universal Music Group and Sony BMG Music Entertainment.

"Professional content seeds YouTube and allows an open dialogue between established media players and a new set of viewers," CBS Interactive President Quincy Smith said in a statement.