It may have sounded a bit silly a few months ago when Italy announced it would regulate YouTube like a TV station, but now there’s this: According to the Wall Street Journal, Google is planning to spend upwards of $100 million on professionally-produced, original videos.

The WSJ cites “people familiar with the matter,” who say the push for original content is part of a “major overhaul” of YouTube — one that will make the site more friendly for the convergence of web video and living room TV viewing.

For years, Google has been positioning itself as more than just an amateur video depot. Almost two years ago, Google signed a number of deals to bring premium Hollywood content to YouTube. Further back, YouTube added full-length TV reruns, but NetFlix seems to have become the primary place for watching old TV shows today.

The WSJ says YouTube’s redesign will include a number of topic-based “channels,” like sports and arts, and about 20 of the channels will include “several hours of professionally produced original programming a week.” People are being hired now to help execute the new plan, and the changes are expected to begin before the end of the year, the WSJ says.

Related Topics: Google: YouTube & Video

About The Author: Matt McGee is Search Engine Land's Executive News Editor, responsible for overseeing our daily news coverage. His news career includes time spent in TV, radio, and print journalism. His web career continues to include a small number of SEO and social media consulting clients, as well as regular speaking engagements at marketing events around the U.S. He blogs at Small Business Search Marketing and can be found on Twitter at @MattMcGee and/or on Google Plus. See more articles by Matt McGee

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