Dailymotion

Dailymotion is a Paris, France-based online video-sharing platform that provides consumer content streaming, professional video hosting, and digital advertising services. The company operates at a significant global scale, supporting 183 languages across 43 localized versions to serve an audience of over 300 million monthly active users. Operating with a global workforce of approximately 400 to 450 employees, the enterprise generates an estimated $100.5 million in annual revenue through its advertising and professional hosting business models. Currently owned by Canal+, the platform maintains strategic content and distribution partnerships with recognizable media and technology entities including Vice Media, Bloomberg, Hearst Digital Media, and Xiaomi. To support its infrastructure, the digital service utilizes a proprietary algorithm to connect international viewers with premium news, music, and sports broadcasts. Dailymotion was founded in 2005 by Benjamin Bejbaum and Olivier Poitrey.

# Dailymotion: High-Level Overview

Dailymotion is a French video-sharing platform that allows users to upload, watch, and share videos alongside content from independent creators and premium partners[6]. Founded in 2005, the company operates as one of the world's largest video platforms, serving approximately 300 million users worldwide who collectively watch an average of 3.5 billion videos monthly[2]. Beyond its core platform, Dailymotion offers Dailymotion Pro (a professional video hosting and broadcasting solution) and Dailymotion Advertising (a proprietary video advertising platform designed for brands)[3].

The platform's mission centers on providing "a visual conversation in motion, based on a unique algorithm designed to broaden horizons for users and creators"[3]. Dailymotion positions itself as an alternative to dominant video platforms, emphasizing freedom of speech, inclusivity, cultural diversity, and community safety[3]. The company currently operates with a team of approximately 400 employees across offices in France, New York, and Singapore[3].

# Origin Story

Dailymotion was founded in March 2005 by Benjamin Bejbaum and Olivier Poitrey, who launched the company from Poitrey's apartment in Paris with just 6,000 Euros[2][7]. Bejbaum, a French entrepreneur and computer programmer born in 1976 to a Jewish immigrant family, served as the company's CEO and was responsible for its strategic direction[1]. The platform gained early traction and secured significant funding: $9.5 million from Atlas Ventures and Partech International in 2006, followed by $34 million led by Adventure Partners and AGF Private Equity in August 2007[1].

In December 2008, Bejbaum transitioned from day-to-day operations while remaining on the board, with Mark Zalesky assuming the CEO position[1]. The company subsequently underwent major ownership changes: Orange acquired large stakes in 2011 and 2013, becoming the majority shareholder, before Vivendi purchased a majority stake from Orange in 2015[2].

# Core Differentiators

• Global reach with local relevance: Dailymotion operates 38 local versions of its site and supports 18 different languages, with 15 regional offices worldwide[2][6]
• Content diversity: The platform organizes videos into 17 categories including Comedy & Entertainment, News, Sports, Animals, Music, and Tech[2]
• Copyright and safety infrastructure: Since 2007, Dailymotion has employed technology from Audible Magic to combat copyright infringement and has implemented additional detection software from INA[2]
• Professional-grade tools: Beyond consumer video sharing, the platform offers dedicated solutions for professional broadcasters and advertisers[3]
• Algorithm-driven discovery: The platform emphasizes its proprietary algorithm designed to broaden user horizons rather than purely optimize engagement metrics[3]

# Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Dailymotion represents a European challenger to U.S.-dominated video platforms, emerging during the early 2000s when YouTube was establishing market dominance. The company's survival and growth reflect sustained demand for alternative video platforms that prioritize different values—particularly around content diversity, creator support, and regional relevance. Its acquisition by Vivendi, a major French media conglomerate, positioned it as a bridge between traditional media and digital platforms, allowing it to compete for premium advertising budgets while maintaining independence from Silicon Valley tech giants.

The platform's emphasis on professional broadcasting solutions and advertising infrastructure demonstrates how video platforms have evolved beyond consumer-facing services into comprehensive media ecosystems serving creators, brands, and broadcasters simultaneously.