YouTube will employ its relatively unused rental system for the movie's stream. The online stream will cost $5.99 or $14.99 for purchase. The news comes less than a day after Sony Pictures approved the Christmas Day release of the controversial comedy.

'It's has always been Sony's intention to have a national platform on which to release the film," CEO and Chairman Michael Lynton said in a press release this morning. 'With that in mind, we reached out to Google, Microsoft and other partners last Wednesday, December 17th, when it became clear our initial release plans were not possible. We are please we can now join with our partners to offer the film nation-wide today."

'It was essential for our studio to release this movie, especially give the assault upon our business and our employees by those who wanted to stop free speech," Lynton continued. 'We chose the path of digital distribution first as to reach as many people as possible on opening day, and we continue to seek other partners and platforms to further expand the release." Read the full statement below.