YouTube plans to offer soon more than 100 online channels of original programming, like Wigs (a channel aimed at women), Team USA (a channel for the United States Olympic Committee), and Picture Show (online series and short films released by Tribeca Film Festival).

Shows on some of the initial channels are being sponsored by advertisers like AT&T, General Motors, Toyota and Unilever. 

"Seven years after YouTube began, we're about to see another large explosion in the use of video," said Eric E. Schmidt, executive chairman of Google.

"This is probably a third wave, following the first, broadcast TV to cable, and the second, cable to the Internet."

Some new YouTube channels are already drawing more than a million views a week, among them offerings from Howcast, Red Bull and World Wrestling Entertainment.