The Internet Movie Database (IMDB) has launched a major project that includes more than 6000 free movies and TV shows streamed for free and with "minimal advertising interruption". Col Needham, founder and CEO of IMDB, says: "We're excited to offer our users a simple online experience to watch full-length movies and TV episodes for free...our goal is to show our users every movie and TV show on the Internet for free on IMDb.com." IMDB has commenced cooperation with CBS, Hulu.com, Sony Pictures Television, and more than 500 independent filmmakers to provide the movie content for this free service. It is still, however, unclear how the advertising-revenue is split between the companies. The primary source of income for IMDB is obviously advertising in the movies and TV shows that users can watch. At the same time, it is also a new and lucrative income opportunity for Amazon - owner of IMDB. A spokesman from Amazon says: "On title pages where IMDb does not have the content available for free, users can click on the Amazon Video On Demand button to rent or purchase the video from Amazon." And he adds: "It's great to offer customers choice. They can decide whether to watch an ad-supported movie or show on IMDb for free or rent or purchase a movie and show immediately from AVOD without commercials. So it's really the best of both worlds for TV and movie fans." So far IMDB only offers this free service to residents in the US - this is due to licensing rights, which must be negotiated in each individual country. But IMDB says that they're working on expanding the service to all users of IMDB - regardless of country. Read more at IMDB