MySpace will soon launch more than a dozen branded video channels, featuring content from big names like the National Geographic group, The New York Times, and Reuters. Users will be able to access the video content on branded content microsites similar to YouTube's partner channels with the BBC, NBC, and CBS. MySpace is allowing content providers to customize their content interface, with special backgrounds and color schemes. Expect something similar to Trailer Park, which MySpace launched last month.
The new service will tie in to MySpace's current videos platform, although there's no word yet on whether or not members will be able to embed the new content on their profiles or on outside blogs and Web sites.
Also of interest, MySpace's "Daily Reel" channel. This editor-controlled channel hosts content that is deemed the best on the service. MySpace editors will add their own dialogue, and package it as a top five. From the press release, I can't tell if it's going to be like America's Funniest Home Videos, or Fox's Daily Show ripoff.
Maybe the most interesting news out of this morning's announcement is participation by Reuters and National Geographic. Both content providers are also sharing entire shows on Joost, which could signal overlap from other providers that are currently sharing their content on the competing service. Given the choice between viewing the content on a Web site and installing a program, many users are likely to go for MySpace's approach, or just stick with YouTube.
More on CNET's News.com story.
MySpace quietly launched Trailer Park this morning, a new area showcasing trailers for upcoming movies. All videos are played on the in-house MySpace player and can be embedded on member pages. Trailer Park is launching with five trailers from Lionsgate, Warner Bros., Independent, and Buena Vista Pictures.
The page is designed to feel like a member's profile, with forums, a friends list, and a comment board. The dearth of actual content about a movie (actors, ratings, and so on) can be found at the movie's marketing site, which gets its own link alongside the trailer.
Unfortunately, from the looks of it, trailers only stick around briefly before removal, unlike Apple's Quicktime trailers page where they reside for months after a film's release. Also, there's no option to download the trailers at various quality levels (including high definition) to watch offline.
Not to knock page design here, but the trailer gets about 20 percent of the entire page.
(Credit: CNET Networks)
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