YouTube announces that it is going international. Local versions of YouTube are now available in Brazil, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Poland, Spain and the UK. The announcement is a first step towards fully localized sites in each of the 9 countries.

As part of this first-stage rollout, each respective site is fully translated, with local homepages and search functions. Over time, each local site will benefit from an entirely “local” experience that will allow for country-specific video rankings and comments, as well as Video, Channel, Categories and Community sections.

“Video is universal and allows people around the world to communicate and exchange ideas. With our announcement today we are expanding upon our already global platform to make it even more relevant for our local communities,” said Chad Hurley, YouTube’s co-founder and CEO. “YouTube will now be more accessible and interesting to a worldwide audience, and we look forward to rolling out in other countries in the months to come.” "From the beginning, we have been totally focused on creating an incredible YouTube user experience and service," said Steve Chen, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of YouTube. "We're really excited to now offer that same great service to a global community, by bringing them local sites that not only promote their communities but speak their language."

The launch of 9 international local YouTube sites is a natural next-step that allows users in each country to share and create videos in their local language, discover the most popular and relevant videos in their markets, and connect with other local users.

In preparation for this launch, YouTube has already signed various major international content partners including broadcasters such as the BBC, France 24, the Spanish Antena 3 and Cuatro TV, the Portuguese RTP, the Dutch VPRO and NPO; European football clubs such as Chelsea FC, AC Milan, Barcelona FC and Real Madrid; and non-profit organizations such as Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, UNHCR and Medecins du Monde.

The new sites have launched on the following local domains that can be found under countries on www.youtube.com.