Google has just bought YouTube for $1.65 billion (USD). New details say Yahoo was in talks as well up until the very end.

EDIT 1: YouTube’s employees will be unmoved from their current headquarters. This is the largest Google acquisition to date.

EDIT 2: Official Google press release is now out

Just joined the conference call…

The Conference Call

Sergey Brin notes that YouTube reminds him of the early days of Google.

YouTube founder Steve (i think!) says Google’s search will help them “elevate the most relevant videos”. Chad Hurley says they’re “comitted to developing tools to help them [content owners] develop content.”

Talking about Pre-roll ads, they’re exploring integration with Google ads, and doing what it takes to help monetize content.

Eric Schmidt says they’re looking into ways that Google’s tech can help YouTube’s tech.

Copyright next… “from the beginning we’ve always respected rightsholder’s rights. This deal allows us to focus on that…”

In terms of integration, Steve says they’ve been listing potential integration points. “There is no shortage of projects in the weeks ahead.”

On the subject of Google Video, they say that “Google Video does not go away now or ever.”-Chad I think… “Google Video will become more integrated with google overall.”-David Drummond I think… it’s hard to tell from just voice!

No name change.

Finishing up… thanking everyone.

“This is the next step in the evolution of the internet,” says Eric Schimdt at the close.

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I’ll go through that webcast audio again tonight so I can properly cite my quotes!

Via TechCrunch