MySpace Launches Primetime Application

MySpace Launches Primetime Application Enabling Users to Watch Full-Length & Short Form Hulu, Warner Bros, MySpace Original and Licensed Content on Profiles and Home Pages
Application Enables Additional Monetization Opportunities On At Least 150 Million New Pages Per Month For Content Partners




LOS ANGELES(BUSINESS WIRE) -- --Redesigned MySpace Primetime Community Also Launching
MySpace today announced the domestic launch of the MySpace Primetime Application ( http://www.myspace.com/primetimeapp). The new, internally developed, application is available free for users to embed onprofiles and homepages with one click of the mouse.
Once embedded, the MySpace Primetime application allows users to search for and watch premium content from Hulu and any of the +150 branded channels on MySpaceTV. All of the content is derived from a partnership with Hulu, Warner Bros, Sony and from MySpaceTV originals, such as Roommates and Special Delivery. The extensive programming is easily found via efficient micro search or intuitive A-Z directory functionality.
The MySpace Primetime Application is free to download for all users. It is ad-supported through the multiple ad-solutions available on MySpace including companion display advertising, tickers, pre-roll, post-roll, amongst others.
"The Primetime Application highlights how professional video content is being voraciously consumed across the MySpace ecosystem, not just within MySpaceTV," said Jason Kirk, VP of Video & Entertainment for MySpace. "Video on MySpace flows throughout the network as there aremultiple entry pointswherevideoscan be discovered, watched and shared including comments, bulletins and MySpaceTV. We believe the 76 million US users spending four hours on the site every month, and the advertisers that rely on our ad-solutions, will be happy with the flexibility of this application."
Here's how users add the MySpace Primetime application to their
profiles/user homepage:

STEP 1: Visit http://www.myspace.com/primetimeapp
STEP 2: Click the "Add this App" button in the top right hand corner.
STEP 3: A pop-up box regarding placement and notification options
appears. Users then choose where they want the application to be
placed on their homepage or profile and how they want it to be
updated, if at all. Once satisfied with their selections, users
click "Add" to continue.
STEP 4: The application will then be added to the area the user
indicated in the previous step.
STEP 5: ALL DONE! Users may now start using the application.

In addition to the MySpace Primetime Application, MySpace has redesigned the MySpace Primetime community (originally launched December 2007) where users are able to watch content such as 30 Rock, Saturday Night Live, 24, Heroes, and classic TV programming including Airwolf, Buck Rogers and Kojak powered by a partnership with Hulu. In addition, users may also watch licensed content from over 150 branded channels on the site such as TMZ, BBC Worldwide, The Sony Minisode Network, Sorority Forever, National Geographic and MySpaceTV Original programming including Roommates, Special Delivery and Paul Brogan.

MySpace recently hit an all-time high with domestic unique users and engagement in October according to comScore; seeing approximately 76 million users domestically and 122 million worldwide unique users (August 2008). comScore also reported MySpace surpassed Yahoo!to become the top publisher of online display advertising in the U.S., accounting for 16% of all display ads viewed in June.

Is Facebook really a place to watch TV?

Slide, the Widget start-up primarily responsible for delivering individuals photo slideshows and videos announced that it would be hosting video from CBS, Warner Brothers, and Hulu on Facebook. This is the beginning of a new Facebook application that is being worked on in partnership with FunSpace Channels that will open today. Facebook and TV? Does that go together?

I personally must admit that this saddens me, as Facebook’s appeal for me has always been that it is so opposite MySpace. MySpace allows users to bog down their page with text, music, photos and video- consuming my bandwidth and irritating me to death. Facebook on the other hand, I’ve always loved for its simplicity and ease of use. It can be used in both my professional and personal life and it’s not covered with colors, widgets and videos.

Facebook offers person-to person and person to group communication venues. It is more communication-based rather than entertainment-based. I feel like Facebook is starting to become trendy, and more media and advertisement oriented. It’s no longer the Facebook I used to love.

When Facebook opened the doors to application developers last year, I knew it was doomed. It was the start of Facebook appearing more like MySpace. The new redesign took Facebook back to the days of simplicity requiring users to actually click a tab to view the widgets and applications of their friends. I really thought Facebook was headed back toward a communication-geared website.

I am not impressed with the television-on-Facebook concept. Warner Brothers, CBS, and Hulu all currently have their own sites for streaming media- and when I want to watch TV on the web, that’s where I go to. The last thing I am interested in doing is logging on to Facebook and watching my shows through what is already slow and quirky at times when it comes to using applications. I am probably not alone in saying that if I want to see a clip from my favorite show I’m headed straight for YouTube, or the television network itself.

Facebook needs to be left alone, and left to what it’s designed for - communication and keeping in touch on a professional and personal level. Leave the streaming media, and bandwidth eating applications to MySpace.