WebProNews

MySpace announced today that it is launching video content for mobile users in beta globally and says it is the first social portal to offer streaming video for mobile.

 Amy Walgenbach, MySpace Manager of Communications, told WebProNews that, "Users are increasingly interested in portability and on-the-go access to content, so video is the natural next step for us in mobile."

 To launch its mobile video initiative MySpace tapped RipCode, an Internet and mobile video firm that uses on-demand video transcoding to optimize mobile video.

 MySpace mobile users will have access to branded channels including TMZ, National Hockey League, National Geographic, The Onion, and College Humor.

 Because MySpace is transcoding video on-demand it no longer has to store its entire video library in multiple mobile formats, which saves on hardware, energy and storage.

 "As the volume of video grows and the number of mobile devices supporting video continues to expand, companies have to find alternative solutions to deliver content to their customers across multiple screens," said Brendon Mills, CEO of RipCode.

 MySpace says its mobile site receives around 3 billion worldwide page views per month from more than 10 million monthly unique users.

 MySpace recommends mobile users consult their mobile data plan to avoid excessive fees.