At the end of last year FOX News Corp, the parent company of all the FOX holdings, purchased MySpace.com. And this week FOX decided to do something with it.
MySpace is already known as a place where television shows can blog to promote themselves, most notably The Office. Lots of independent bands have been known to use it to help promote their music as well, so it would only be logical that FOX would want to take advantage of this.
On May 22, MySpace will launch its online video store (the same day as 24's season finale) starting with the FOX show 24. MySpace and FOX want to create an area where fans can discuss and comment on the show. The video will be priced comparable to iTunes, which already sells some FOX and FX shows including 24.
As part of the video store launch, fast-food chain Burger King is sponsoring free downloads for two pre-selected episodes of "24," one episode of Fuel TV's "Firsthand" and one episode of Speed Channel's "Pinks," News Corp. said.
FOX wants to take advantage of the size and popularity that MySpace has right now:
"MySpace is the largest video site on the Web, with more video uploaded every day than any other site on the Internet," Ross Levinsohn, president of Fox Interactive Media, said in a statement.YouTube, a leading video-sharing and community site, says it has 40 million daily viewers. According to News Corp., MySpace has grown to more than 75 million members.
This is obviously a move to create competition for iTunes. But will FOX remove its shows from iTunes if the MySpace video store is successful? I doubt it because the more opportunities to sell their shows are better for them. Unless iTunes' cut of their profits is too much for them to consider.
Whatever happens, I'm sure Rupert Murdoch has a plan.
Article comments
1 - Ty
I am curious. Does anyone know how much News Corp paid to buy myspace.com? I am curious how filthy rich the creator of myspace has become.
2 - Manon Maru
My friend has a really sound theory about Rupert Murdoch being the anti-christ. I don't know all the details, but one time he sat down with me and a bible and explained it all.
3 - Sarah
It's supposed to be live today on myspace, but I can't find it anywhere...URL anyone?
4 - hkbaq
same problem here....can't find it
5 - Stacy
I've looked and your all right, there isn't a link on MySpace. I keep trying to find more info. The only show for sale was "American Idol".
Ty, the purchase of MySpace was reported at $580 million. So the creaters made a little money.