The power of a licensing agreement, or thousands of licensing agreements managed through a single entity. That’s what brings entertainment to the masses, well brings it legally anyway. And the African masses are getting access to more local entertainment, most likely thanks to a new licensing agreement.
Earlier this week, Youtube Senegal launched, bringing the total number of localized Sub-Saharan African Youtube channels to six. As one of the top stories on telecom news-site Balancing Act emphasizes, these local Youtubes wouldn’t be possible without licensing deals with local content owners via collecting societies.
Before Google goes through the trouble of handling the appropriate licensing agreements, the company gauges whether there is enough interest for a local Youtube. There could be lack of interest in the remaining 40-some countries. However, the relatively small number of localized SubSaharan African Youtube channels is also likely a symptom of difficulties finding the proper rights holders or collecting societies. What to Afro-Leo readers think?
Currently available Sub-Saharan Africa Youtube Channels:
- Youtube.co.za launched May 2010
- Youtube.co.ke launched October 2011
- youtube.co.ug launched December 2011
- youtube.com.ng launched December 2011
- youtube.com.gh launched June 2012
- youtube.sn launched July 2012
(all dates and urls from the Google Africa Blog)
