Based on an email I received today it looks like the short lived user generated video service is shutting down at the end of August. According to the email users will no longer be able to upload videos to the service starting 29 July 09 and will have to download all of their videos for safe keeping NLT 31 Aug 09.
Now this doesn’t mean that MSN is moving completely away from video on its site – just the user generated stuff that was under the umbrella of Soapbox. The email also links to a Shutdown FAQ page that is in several languages but covers a very few topics:
Soapbox FAQ
Q: When will my ability to upload video to Soapbox stop?
A: July 29, 2009.Q: Can I recover the videos I’ve uploaded to Soapbox?
A: Yes, on July 29, 2009 log into your personal profile, roll over the thumbnail of the video you want to keep and click on the download link that appears.Q: When will Soapbox no longer be available?
A: August 31, 2009.Q: Why will Soapbox no longer be offered?
A: We made the difficult decision to close Soapbox as part of our investment in re-aligning our online services portfolio. Online video is a key part of the MSN experience and we will continue to offer a rich experience on MSN Video. We will continue to invest in delivering great customer experiences, while keeping a keen eye on our business objectives during this tough economic climate.Q: Is MSN Video going away too?
A: No, MSN Video will continue to be available. Only the Soapbox (user generated content) feature will no longer be available.
