Calling All Dudes: Break.com Wants Your Fratastic Videos

Just when it appeared that Web 2.0 may be abandoning the UGC ship for premium content, Break.com, a social video site for guys, is upping its budget to add more user generated content to the site. Through Break’s “stimulus package,” the site is increasing its investment in content purchased from its users and other amateur filmmakers by 50%.

Break.com, which had 3.8 million unique visitors worldwide in March according to Comscore, buys original user generated content from its audience. Break says that it spends between $200 and $1000 per video. Additionally, Break.com licenses professional content from a number of sources, including the NBA, for a higher amount. Break.com also produces content internally. In total, Break has acquired over 2,000 clips. This year, Break says it has purchased more than 140 user-submitted videos that have been seen published on the site.

Break.com is surviving in a space where many of its competitors are dropping out. 60Frames, another video entertainment site, recently shut its doors, because of lack of funding. And Metacafe just eliminated its Producer Rewards program, which paid producers for content. Break.com hasn’t been immune to layoffs but it seems to be surviving, and maybe even growing despite the shakeup at other online video entertainment sites. In early April, Break Media, parent company of Break, acquired HBOLabs, HBO’s digital content studio.

Last year, Break.com launched an ad network, targeting ad 18-34 male demographic.