After previously telling YouTube to pull its copyrighted content from the site, the BBC is close to an about-face - and a deal with YouTube to place content on the video-sharing site.

The details of the purported deal are unknown, though it's unlikely that the BBC would provide YouTube with any of its current shows, Tech's Message reports. A more likely possibility is that the BBC could offer older shows in an effort to boost DVD sales for series such as Fawlty Towers and The Young Ones.

If new content is featured, it could be in the form of clips. Providing the content in short-form would make it easier for users to share as well as for BBC and YouTube to monetize by placing advertisements alongside.