MySpace, BBC Reach Global Video Deal

by Jarrett Martineau | January 23, 2008 at 04:33 pm

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I don't know that BBC and MySpace are the most logical partners, but the BBC seems to view this opportunity as an effective means of getting programming out to new audiences; and MySpaceTV does have 'localized versions' of its site in 27 countries, which is a large, global, potential audience for the BBC's shows.

Other rival networking sites, however, such as Bebo.com, are vying for similar content partnerships with major broadcasters, media and entertainment brands, so it will be interesting to see whether or not BBC and MySpace's "shared
advertising revenue" deal proves to be a viable business model for using a social networking site to distributing video content.

The online community MySpace is partnering with the BBC to bring some of the British broadcaster's programs to a worldwide audience in the site's first content deal involving a major network.

The move, to be announced Thursday, continues MySpace's push to become a hub for video, music and other content and more similar to Internet portals like Yahoo Inc.

By contrast, MySpace's chief rival, Facebook, has largely focused on messaging, networking and other social tools.

MySpace, owned by media conglomerate News Corp., will present selected BBC programs through its video platform, MySpaceTV. The clips are to include interviews with celebrities, comedy sketches and classic series such as "Doctor Who" and "Robin Hood."