14 DAY TRIAL // At this year's Consumer Electronics Show held in Las Vegas, Panasonic and MySpace announced a joint venture in launching a web TV social service under the name of MySpace TV.
The service will be launched in the first half of 2012, and will be available on Panasonic's VIERA Connect platform.
The VIERA Connect Smart TV Platform offers access to Internet-based video-on-demand content and applications. This not only includes movies, but social networking, online gaming and even latest news.
Unlike other similar services, the new version of VIERA Connect doesn't require an external box or PC station, being available via a single button on the (Panasonic) TV remote control.
While for this deal Panasonic is bringing all the fancy high-tech technology, MySpace is leveraging its immense social networking experience and an unparalleled library of 100,000 music videos and 42 million songs.
MySpace TV will allow viewers to text, email or post updates on social networks, while watching shows or playing games.
The Web's former leading social network is desperately trying to attach itself to a corner of the Internet, and the still growing niche of social TV might be a good fit for them.
Whilst the service looks pretty impressive when reading the press release, both Panasonic and especially MySpace have to walk the line before they can reap any rewards.
What might be the good and bad part of this deal? Panasonic's VIERA Connect Platform is definitely the strongest point in this venture.
On the down side, the tight integration with MySpace profiles might turn people away.
In May 2009 Facebook leapfrogged MySpace, becoming the most used social network in the US.
It's been almost 3 years since then, but based on how the Internet and technology in general has changed, it's been more of a decade.
MySpace TV is probably the last serious attempt from MySpace to rebrand itself. And not change its logo like the last time, but change its purpose in the user's perception. Change the way its actually being used.
To be considered a top dog again, MySpace has to become social TV networking, just as some years ago it was “social networking” itself.
For those interested in getting early access to the service, visit MySpace TV's official page. No pricing details have been released yet.
Read the official press release on Justin Timberlake's website, current co-owner of MySpace.