Google rolls out video-sharing across eight markets

by Mark Banham, Brand Republic 12-Jul-06, 14:45

LONDON - Google is to launch its video-sharing network across eight countries, including the UK, France and Germany, as it takes on My Space and You Tube.

The UK site, at video.google.co.uk, will incorporate content such as television programming and trailers for films.

Google has signed several partners for the venture that that will provide content free of charge, including trailers for Dreamworks animated feature 'Over The Hedge' and 'Superman Returns'.

Primary content providers for Google Video include IMG Media, Premium TV, The History Channel and The Biography Channel.

The site also carries music videos for artists including Paris Hilton and David Hasselhoff as well as Wimbledon highlights and the England v Australia test match at Edgbaston. It also includes promos for advertisers such as Sega Dreamcast and Nintendo.

The site will primarily be looking to attract users as it does not carry advertising, but Google said this is an option it may consider in the future depending on the success of the sites. Advertising could include branded pages for advertisers.

As well as the UK and Germany, Google is launching Video Google in Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and Canada.

Joanna Shields, European director of partnerships at Google, said: "The rise of online video is making it easier for people to express themselves.

"By launching Google Video in these new markets we will enable more people in more countries to search for, upload and share video content in more languages. We're excited to work with our content providers and advertisers around the world to help them use Google Video to reach a wider global audience."

If you have an opinion on this or any other issue raised on Brand Republic, join the debate in the Forum.