Google Set To Challenge MySpace And YouTube

Google is set to challenge MySpace and YouTube with the launch of eight country-specific versions of its video-sharing community website, Google Video.

Google Video, which until now only existed Stateside, is to introduce targeted services for the UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and Canada.

The localised approach will offer users a site in their own language, with more targeted content than the generalised US site. It is designed to attract more users and be more relevant to advertisers.

The US site offers pay-per-view and pay-per-download services from commercial partners, but Google Europe has signed up a number of commercial partners that will provide free clips for promotional purposes.

Launch content partners include ITN, Buena Vista International Europe, and Premium TV, the digital rights and broadband company with clients including UKTV, Cartoon Network and the Football League.

A recent study from online research company HitWise showed that the video web search market is dominated by YouTube with almost 43% of the market. Combined with MySpace, the two account for almost 65%.

Google: 020 7031 3000 www.google.co.uk/