Yahoo shuts down video hub Yahoo Screen

At a time when Google Inc is riding on the success of its online streaming platform YouTube, internet companies such as Yahoo Inc are struggling with their video services. The internet company has shut down Yahoo Screen, its ambitious online video project.

Confirming the development, a Yahoo spokesperson said in an email response, "At Yahoo, we're constantly reviewing and iterating on our products as we strive to create the best user experience. With that in mind, video content from Yahoo as well as our partners has been transitioned from Yahoo Screen to our digital magazine properties so users can discover complementary content in one place."

In India Yahoo ran its video services under in.screen.yahoo.com.

Launched in September 2013 with much fanfare,Yahoo Screen boasted of more than 1,000 hours of programming. It also had a partnership with Viacom Inc operated channels MTV and Comedy Central. Yahoo's comedy original programmes which include Sin City Saints and Other Space are now available in the TV section of the site.

Interestingly, even at the time of its launch the platform had trouble attracting eyeballs. Yahoo Screen was launched to take on streaming apps such as Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime, but it failed to match their subscriber bases.

Yahoo now plans to move the video properties from Yahoo Screen to the company's many digital magazines. For example, streamed concerts from Yahoo Screen's Live Nation channel, will now be surrounded with content from Yahoo Music.

Yahoo Screen's closure is the latest sign of problem in the internet company. In Q3 2015, it had written off $42 million as asset impairment charge towards it original video content.

The company lead by Marissa Mayer is said to be exploring the sale of its core business after she failed to turn around the company. Yahoo Inc in the last few years has been surrounded with news of investor dissatisfaction and executive exodus.