MySpace and Sprint announced today that Sprint will be the first U.S. wireless carrier to link to the free MySpace Mobile Web site once it officially launches in early 2008, at no additional charge to Sprint data subscribers.
Sprint customers with enabled phones will not have to type a URL address to access MySpace Mobile on their phones, but instead will be able to click to access it from the Sprint portal.
In addition to the new MySpace Mobile, Sprint customers will also be able to directly link to other leading mobile Web sites from Fox Interactive Media (FIM), including IGN, FOXSports.com on MSN, RottenTomatoes, AskMen, its network of MyFOX local affiliates and the newest addition Photobucket. The agreement was announced December 13, by FIM President Peter Levinsohn at Sprint’s annual Application Developer Conference in Hollywood, FL.
“Launching mobile versions of MySpace and our other FIM sites in September was a huge step forward for our mobile efforts, and we’re excited to join with our long-time partners at Sprint to take mobile Web access to the next level,” said Peter Levinsohn, President of Fox Interactive Media. “With prominent placement on the Sprint mobile Web home page, customers will have immediate and easy-to-find access to our network of sites on Sprint phones.”
“Sprint has been a leader in providing customers with open access to the mobile Web on their phones, and MySpace and other Fox sites are the latest example of that,” said John Burris, vice president of wireless data content. “By providing a direct link to these sites, we’re making it even easier for customers to use their phones to access their MySpace accounts and other online services that are important to them, whenever and wherever they want.”
“Our partnership empowers Sprint data subscribers with easy access to their MySpace community at no additional charge,” said Amit Kapur, VP of business development for MySpace. “We’re also in the process of redesigning the mobile site to provide an updated look and feel and enhanced functionality.”
The MySpace Mobile beta launch complements the leading social networking platform’s current mobile offerings, which include mobile alerts and premium applications on devices offered in the U.S. by Sprint and other carriers. In September, FIM launched and began selling advertising on free mobile extensions of a number of its Web sites.
Sprint and FOX have partnered on mobile content distribution since 2002, when Sprint first began syndicating sports news and scores from FOXSports.com.
About MySpace
MySpace, a unit of Fox Interactive Media Inc., is the premier lifestyle portal for connecting with friends, discovering popular culture, and making a positive impact on the world. By integrating Web profiles, blogs, instant messaging, e-mail, music streaming, music videos, photo galleries, classified listings, events, groups, college communities, and member forums, MySpace has created a connected community. As the first ranked Web domain in terms of page views1, MySpace is the most widely-used and highly regarded site of its kind and is committed to providing the highest quality member experience. MySpace will continue to innovate with new features that allow its members to express their creativity and share their lives, both online and off. MySpace’s international network includes 20 localized community sites in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Mexico, Australia, Finland, Germany, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, Denmark, France, Ireland, Netherlands, Spain, Austria, Japan and New Zealand. Fox Interactive Media is a division of News Corp. (NYSE:NWS) (NYSE:NWS.A) (ASX:NWS) (ASX:NWSLV).
1 Among the top 2000 domains comScore Media Metrix, November 2007. For more information on comScore Networks, please go to http://www.comscore.com.
About FIM
A division of News Corporation (NYSE:NWS) (NYSE:NWS.A), Fox Interactive Media (FIM) is a portfolio of leading social networking, entertainment, sports and information sites that offer a platform and tools for consumers to express themselves, communicate with each other, and engage with media. The company’s worldwide network includes such category leaders as MySpace, Photobucket, IGN, FOXSports.com, RottenTomatoes, AskMen, Flektor and more that together comprise one of the largest audiences on the Web.
About Sprint Nextel
Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including two robust wireless networks serving 54 million customers at the end of the third quarter 2007; industry-leading mobile data services; instant national and international walkie-talkie capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. For more information, visit www.sprint.com.