Pitch takes fight to MySpace on mobile

British mobile entertainment firm Pitch, on Monday launched a social networking and community service it reckons has the potential to be a MySpace killer on the mobile.

The service runs alongside Pitch’s existing advertising-funded content offer, providing videos, games, ringtones, screensavers and wallpapers.

Users can build their own mobile home page and get an inbox which allows them to send messages to friends or groups. It also allows real time group chatting via an Instant Messaging application with other Pitch members. The service allows much of the same functionality as its Web-based cousins, including uploading pictures, bios, etc.

Earlier this month, Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. and partner Softbank revealed they are planning to launch the MySpace internet service on Japanese mobiles through a 50/50 joint venture sometime next year. No details were given on a European launch.

Murdoch’s News Corp. bought MySpace.com in 2005 for around $580m (£305.7m).

The Pitch service is free and will be advertised on the UK’s Trouble, Living and Bravo TV channels.