MySpace signs ABC content deal

24Jan08

Source: AAP

MYSPACE
users can now share their favourite Australian television shows after
the signing of a new deal with the national broadcaster.

MySpace users can copy clips from the MySpaceTV channel and paste them to their profile.

"The
ABC and BBC deals ensure MySpace users are now able to add new clips
from the best in local and international TV programs to their profiles
and continues the growing momentum of MySpaceTV," MySpace.com Australia
& New Zealand vice president, Rebekah Horne, said.

The
arrangement with the ABC includes Australian TV shows such as Summer
Heights High, The Chaser’s War on Everything and Enough Rope with
Andrew Denton.

BBC’s catalogue of programs will include Doctor Who, Robin Hood, The Catherine Tate show, Red Dwarf and Top Gear.

Ms
Horne admitted one of the reasons behind the creation of the MySpaceTV
network in 2007 was to provide users with a legal way of adding
copyrighted material to their pages.

"What we found was that there was a lot of interest in embedding video in their profile," Ms Horne said.

"So we’re out there sourcing content as an addition to what was being generated by users."

According to Ms Horne, adding video from sources such as the ABC and BBC, is a way for MySpace users to express their identity.

"It’s
really one of the elements of social networking. It’s about sharing and
self-expression, it’s about saying ‘here’s something I found’," she
added.

It isn’t the first time MySpace has partnered with a local television broadcaster.

Last
year, MySpace collaborated with Network Ten’s Meet the Press program
during the federal election campaign. Footage from the television show
was made available to MySpace users and in turn, user generator content
was broadcast on Ten.

Other content providers to have already signed with MySpace include National Geographic and sports company Rip Curl.

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