Belarus to launch its own version of YouTube

Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of Belarus Vladimir Pertsov has said thar Belarusian authorities are working on creating a local version of YouTube, with the project set to launch on September 12.

"The video hosting platform will be videobel.by. This is our first OTT platform, which will host programmes and various segments, including off-air activities by content creators. You could call it a modest attempt, but it is a significant first step towards developing a Belarusian equivalent of YouTube," Pertsov told reporters, following a report to President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media. 

He added, "You see what's happening with YouTube and other OTT video-on-demand services. We can't predict how this situation will evolve."

Pertsov emphasised that "Belarusian viewers—and not just Belarusian—want to watch video on demand via personal computers and mobile phones, whenever and wherever it is convenient for them."

"This project will be launched on September 12," he added.