Google opens UK video store

Google has launched a local UK version of its online video store, as well as regionalised versions for other European countries and Canada.

The regional sites for Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and the UK go live today with the homepage of each displaying the user's own language and content from their own country as well as the international search feature.

Google Video allows users to upload and share TV shows, films and other video content.

Joanna Shields, European director of partnerships at Google, said in a statement: "By launching Google Video in these new markets we will enable more people in more countries to search for, upload and share video content in more languages."

Among Google's media partners for the UK launch are ITN, which was also a launch partner for the US version of Google Video earlier this year, and talkbackThames, a company whose comedy programmes include Bo Selecta, Green Wing and Smack the Pony.

Alex Mahon, COO at talkbackThames, said Google Video will be a "critical route" to promote its content in new markets.