New analysis pegs YouTube annual loss at only $174M

Well, you could rest assured the YouTube financial debate wasn't anywhere close to over. Tech consultancy RampRate, a specialist in managing technology expenses, has taken its crack at assessing the Google-owned video site's operating loss. RampRates's estimate of a $174 million loss is only a little more than a third of the $470 million loss Credit Suisse analysts estimated for the site in April, the Associated Press says.

RampRate said Google's peering agreements save YouTube more than 70 percent of the $360 million in bandwidth costs Credit Suisse predicted the site would incur this year. The RampRate analysis also points out the upsides for Google of YouTube being perceived as a money pit, including favorable content deals and reduced risk of copyright litigation.

Who will take the next stab at determining the site's earnings potential? 

For more:
- see the Associated Press article on the RampRate analysis here