Yahoo considers creating its own version of YouTube

Yahoo’s Marissa Mayer-led shift toward a full-fledged video-network hub is gaining steam, a move that will be powered in part by talent poached from YouTube, according to a new report. Citing sources close to the situation, Recode said the company is looking to ramp up its video-content offerings by convincing popular YouTubers unhappy with their deals to switch allegiances. However, the site added that Yahoo is focused on acquiring individual talent and channels rather than launching a standalone video site similar to YouTube.

Google-owned YouTube hasn’t had a serious competitor for years. But Yahoo would like to try: The Web giant has been working on a plan to lure some of YouTube’s most popular stars and networks to show their stuff on the site, according to several sources close to the situation. The strategy in the works — which Yahoo hopes to launch in the next few months — is aimed at taking advantage of persistent complaints by both video creators and owners, who think that they don’t make enough money on YouTube. Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer has been mulling how to have a much bigger presence in Web video. Under her leadership, the company tried and failed to buy France’s DailyMotion and has been pushing a number of other high-profile media initiatives, such as adding television news star Katie Couric to its site.