YouTube gets local in the Philippines

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Philippines - The Philippines became the first market in Southeast Asia and 34th globally to have a localised version of YouTube as Google launched the video site service in the market yesterday.

The YouTube Philippines site with its local interface showcases videos that are relevant to local Filipinos once the user has selected "The Philippines" as the location at the bottom of the YouTube homepage.

With this, Google aims to target the growing online population in presumably one of the largest local markets in the region which will allow it to monetise video views in the Philippines. Monetisation will be done via YouTube partners and ad placements.

Towards this endeavor, YouTube has tied up with content partners such as ABS-CBN Corp., TV5, GMA Network, Star Records, Viva Records and Vicor Music Corp among others..

To drum up excitement around the launch, YouTube has secured an interview with President of the Philippines Benigno Aquino slated for next month when the Google-YouTube WorldView interview series kicks off.

He will become the first Asian president to take part in the interactive forum.

YouTube cited the discovery of Filipino singing artists Charice and Arnel Pineda through the site. Charice (pictured), who rocketed to fame after being discovered in a YouTube video during a Korean talent contest, sent a video message for the launch.

According to Google, over three billion videos are viewed globally in a day and about 48 hours of videos are uploaded every minute.

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