Social networking giant MySpace has made a deal with ShineReveille to launch MySpace TV shows like Quarterlife and Roommates on DVD and broadcast television outside the United States, or create localized versions of the shows specifically for international markets. ShineReveille will also be able to market merchandise based on the series in international markets.
“MySpace provides the creative community with a launch pad to virally test and distribute content to the world’s largest focus group,” said MySpace’s international director Travis Katz, in a statement. “MySpaceTV has quickly become Hollywood’s digital playground and our relationship with ShineReveille opens up the globe to MySpace’s international content creators.”
Under the deal, MySpace will retain all distribution rights to MySpace TV programming in the U.S., as well as international mobile and Web-based distribution rights.
Financial terms of the deal weren’t disclosed. The move underscore’s MySpace’s desire to break out of the “Web site” niche and into the larger media market: MySpace also recently announced MySpace Music, which will offer ad-supported music streaming and offer DRM-free tracks for sale.
ShineReveille is a distribution subsidiary of the Shine Group, founded by Elisabeth Murdoch, daughter of News Corp head Rupert Murdoch. News Corp. owns MySpace. Shine has focused on shifting hit programming from one regional market to another; for instance, it successfully transitioned the British comedy The Office to U.S. network television.
