MySpace Launches YouTube Rival

Popular social networking website, MySpace attempts to rival video sharing site, YouTube, with the launch of its new global video platform, MySpaceTV.

MySpaceTV in beta will be an integrated component of the company’s community and content platform, and will aim to offer the best elements of video to view, create, and share in new ways, throughout the community. MySpaceTV will serve as the community’s primary video channel and as a stand-alone user destination.

MySpace has made significant video interface changes in recent times, such as the inclusion of ‘cool new videos’ on the user homepage, an optimized video search tool, one-click video add to profile, one-click video bulletins, video slide show functionality, and enabling subscriptions to keep track of videos from favorite content creators. According to MySpace, the recent acquisitions of Flektor, an online media editing tool set, and Photobucket, online photo sharing site, will help continue driving MySpace’s video growth.

Localized in 15 international territories, MySpaceTV will also allow users to share and create videos in their own language, discover the most popular and relevant videos in their markets, and connect with other local users. Localized versions of MySpace TV are immediately available in seven different languages across the UK, Japan, Australia, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Canada, Netherlands, New Zealand, Latin America, Sweden, and Austria.

The beta launch of MySpaceTV introduces a new video user interface, categorical organization for all content, a personalized video channel, exclusive and original content, user generated and partner driven branded channels, and video charts. The platform blends user generated, premium, licensed, and sponsored content.

In advance of the launch, MySpace has announced deals with a variety of content partners for branded channels that will appear on MySpaceTV. Partners include National Geographic, The New York Times, Reuters, and lifestyle outlets including Animation Show, The Daily Reel, Expert Village, Flow, FOX’s IGN Entertainment, Kush TV, LX.TV, Octane TV, Ripe TV, Studio411, VBS.tv (from the makers of Vice Magazine), and Young Hollywood.

The announcement by MySpace comes close on the heels of tremendous video growth driven by industry content partnerships and user interface changes. According to comScore Media Metrix, MySpace’s total number of video streams has leapt by 100 per cent and the site has added 15 million unique streamers since January.