Thursday, May 19, 2016

Facebook trialling music video product to rival YouTube


Written by Jessica Goodfellow — Facebook is testing a music video product, Slideshow, that allows users to share photos and videos, now with accompanying music from Warner Music Group to help users create “soundtrack options.”

Slideshows are a new way for Facebook users to share photos and videos. So far the company has been using Facebook-owned music to accompany the slideshows, but a spokesperson has reported the social media giant is now testing the use of a limited amount of music from Warner Music Group as soundtrack options, the New York Post reported.

Facebook previously considered the acquisition of video service Vevo, a joint venture operation by Universal Music Group, Google, Sony Music Entertainment and Abu Dhabi Media.

This year has seen Facebook bolster efforts to host video and music content within its walls, as Zuckerberg announced in the company’s earnings call: “We’re at the beginning of a golden age of online video.”

“Facebook is trying to figure out how to keep video as part of its experience,” a source familiar with the talks said, reported by the New York Post. “They’re looking for a way to take photos, add licensed music and share it with friends.”

“They’re thinking about launching it first in Australia,” the source added.

In December last year Facebook announced a partnership with music service, Deezer, in a deal that will allow the social network giant to integrate music sharing into the news feed.

The news comes just days after Amazon launched a YouTube-style video service which will allow anyone with an Amazon account to upload their own content.

The tech giant is set to play rival Google at its own game in the user-generated video space, and let creators upload their own content which will be hosted on Amazon's Prime streaming service, and from which they can generate royalties.

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