YouTube Launches Local Language Sites
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Written By Emily Koh | June 19, 2007 | Share This
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Google announced at Google Press Day in Paris that it will launch nine localized language sites for YouTube. These national sites include Brazil, the U.K., France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland and Spain. Reuters
reports:
“During the first stage of the international move, each site will offer fully translated local homepages and video search functions. Over time, each national site will have an entirely “local” feel that will allow for country-specific video rankings and comments in various sections, YouTube said.
“Consumers will have a variety of ways to reach the international sites. Users with computer Internet addresses in the nine countries will be offered the option to switch to the local sites. A series of flag icons will run along the top of the YouTube sites, allowing users to jump to other country sites.”
YouTube has already signed up various international media content partners including the BBC, France 24, the Spanish Antena 3 and Cuatro TV. It will also feature content from European football clubs such as Chelsea FC, AC Milan, Barcelona FC and Real Madrid, and non-profit groups like Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth. Furthermore, each local site will eventually feature videos tailored to each region.
Considering that more than half of YouTube’s audience is from outside the United States, according to YouTube co-founder Steve Chen, it’s a smart move on YouTube’s part to capitalize on this chunk of the audience. And by having localized sites set up, it will be easier for YouTube to obtain rights to host international content on their site. Still, it isn’t without its challenges, says Robert Andrews of paidContent.org:
“On the one hand, YouTube risks splintering the solid, single user base that has made it so popular. On the other, localization may help to crush upstart video sharing sites who aim to capitalize on an English-centric internet by launching competing services in their native tongue. France, in particular, will be an interesting battleground, with native Dailymotion commanding a strong local following (40 percent of its traffic).”
It’s not clear how the content will be divided up per local site, but International Manager Sakina Arsiwala has said that the content will be available to everyone “unless the (media) partner specifies otherwise.”
Topics: Google |