In a press releasing highlighting upcoming apps for the Philips Smart TV platform, TP Vision revealed that YouTube movie rentals will be available later this year in a number of European regions. Interestingly, though, the company (which manufactures Philips TV internationally) also hints that rentals could potentially expand to hardware from other manufacturers, promising only that Smart TVs will be "among the first" to receive this functionality.

Though it doesn't approach the footprint of video-on-demand rivals like Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, and Vudu, YouTube's rental initiative has grown this year as Google has reached agreements with Paramount Pictures, MGM, and other content providers. Yet the premium service has yet to make the jump from the computer to TVs and other connected home theater gear. Thanks to TP Vision, it seems that won't be a roadblock much longer.