PRESS: MTS to invest 2 bln rbl in WASD-based video hosting

MOSCOW, Mar 15 (PRIME) -- Russian mobile operator MTS will launch its own video hosting in September–November to attract some of the audience of YouTube and TikTok with an initial investment of 1.5–2 billion rubles, while experts are skeptical about the idea, business daily Kommersant reported on Wednesday.

IT market sources told the daily that MTS is getting ready to re-launch its games streaming service WASD.

“In addition to games broadcasting, the platform will offer user content, such as reviews of films, vlogs, beauty blogs, and so forth,” a person familiar with the project said, adding that it will become an analogue of YouTube and TikTok.

MTS unveiled WASD in 2019 as a platform to develop solutions in the industry of gaming, professional cyber sports, and multi-media content. According to SimilarWeb, traffic of website WASD.tv halved in February on the month to 1.3 million users. MTS did not disclose WASD’s audience or investment in the project.

Two IT sources said that at least five key employees left WASD at the beginning of the year.

(75.1927 rubles – U.S. $1)

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