YouTube rivals getting into online video game

Joost
Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis produced file-sharing Kazaa and Internet-calling software Skype, and then, in 2006, they started work on a peer-to-peer video-sharing network, inspired by those earlier projects.

What It Carries: Officially licensed shows from CBS, National Geographic, and Viacom, as well as good but canceled programs from various company vaults. Plus, better-looking video than YouTube.

Major Success Factors: More than one million beta testers have been using the program. A limited partnership with Fox Broadcasting — likely dependent on Fox’s progress with Hulu — is rumored to be in the works.

VuMe
Kevin Flynn created the “Peanut Butter Jelly Time” video, now a YouTube staple, but never made any money from it. Last year he launched VuMe, which pays directors based on the number of views their work gets.

What It Carries: Everything from cute animal videos and karaoke hijinks to serious political commentary and short indie films. In other words, what you’d find on YouTube.

Major Success Factors: It is the first video site to use this business model. Barely a year old, it’s unclear if VuMe can sustain paying $3 for every 1,000 hits.

EmPivot
Nonprofit veteran Thom Wallace and P.R. expert Chace Warmington decided to create an environmentally-focused video Web site. The beta version launched in August. As of December, the most viewed video was watched 2,500 times.

What It Carries: Videos on going green and footage of the latest oil spill, all provided by users; no network affiliations.

Major Success Factor: Many of emPivot’s videos can be found on any major cable-news Web site — if not on YouTube — but never has green-related footage been all in one place.

Channel 101
Los Angeles natives Dan Harmon and Rob Schrab started Channel 101 as a monthly festival where independent shorts would be judged by the audience. The four-year-old Web site is an online extension.

What It Carries: Filmmakers upload brief, self-funded videos, including some featuring popular comedians like Drew Carey and Jack Black. Based on audience reception for a piece, directors are asked to film another short.

Major Success Factor: Many of the videos are made by entertainment professionals. The Web site is supported by its real-world counterpart.

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