If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. That's the motto that CBS (CBS-A) is evidently practicing now as after a series of uploads to online video site YouTube, they have seen an increase of viewing on some of their broadcast offerings.
Several weeks ago, CBS started the practice of uploading some of its premium shows like "Survivor," "CSI" and "Late Show with David Letterman," to YouTube.
The results that came in have been great, to say the least. The David Letterman show itself has increased in viewership by around 200,000 new viewers - a 5% increase since they began uploading the clips. At the same time "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" has added 100,000 new viewers, a whopping 7% 
growth. That's a huge increase by anyone's standards.
One writer says, "The conclusion is obvious: Web users viewed clips on YouTube, became fans, and then started watching the broadcast versions."
I'm not sure that her statement is true, people could have simply been reminded of the show, or accidently tried it and gave them a try. To say that after a few short weeks that there are now sustainable fans, is being a little too enthusiastic at this time. Nonetheless, it does show that uploading of clips to video-sharing sites produces results - for whatever reason.
This simply confirms why media companies need to keep their hands off of uploaded clips and let them run their course throughout the online community. Obviously, it doesn't matter who uploads the clip to drive the viewers.
It just shows the ignorance and panic that still prevails in Hollywood as they are still legally battling sites to take down their video clips.
The old control issue just won't go away from those that simply don't understand the powerful viral reality that permeates the online world. They seem like they won't stop fighting for control even if it hurts their marketing efforts.
When you think of it, it's a fight over who pushes the button for the upload.
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