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BERLIN � International pubcaster Deutsche Welle has launched its own channel on YouTube, so becoming the first German broadcaster to make its content available on the Internet.

The initiative follows recently launched YouTube outlets from other international broadcasters such as BBC Worldwide and Al Jazeera English.

Holger Hank, head of new media at DW, said the growing number of users who specifically look for video content on the Internet moved the pubcaster to launch its own YouTube channel offering selected material from Deutsche Welle.

The service, which can be accessed at www.youtube.com/deutschewelle, includes DW-TV's financial news program "Made in Germany" and excerpts from lifestyle show "Euromaxx," along with the interview of the week from news broadcast "Journal."

The offer, which DW says it wants to continually expand and develop, will be updated weekly. All videos are available for download on DW's own website at www.dw-world.de.