Google seeks digital rights to Miramax films: report

Google Inc is talking with Filmyard Holdings to gain digital rights to film studio Miramax's archives to boost its efforts to turn YouTube into a destination with longer-form content, the New York Post said, citing people close to the situation.

The current deal may include rights for more than 700 films, the paper said.

Google may have to compete with streaming and mail-in rental company Netflix, which has also shown interest in Miramax's film library, the Post said.

In July, Walt Disney Co sold Miramax, the studio behind such films as "Trainspotting" and "No Country for Old Men," to Filmyard Holdings for more than $660 million.

Google's official blog showed that 35 hours of video were uploaded to YouTube every minute as of last week, up from 24 hours in March.

A Google spokesman told the Post: "We're always talking to the studios about different things and Disney remains a valuable YouTube partner. Outside of that, we don't comment on rumor or speculation."

Reuters could not immediately reach Google for comment.