Taking yet another step in the direction of the forthcoming launch of a live video streaming service for Google TV, YouTube Monday commenced the first test of a streaming platform for third party video content providers.

The new platform's trial - which will run on Monday and Tuesday, with four partners, namely, Howcast, Next New Networks, Rocketboom and Young Hollywood - builds on the earlier live broadcasts from U2 and the White House.

The trial allows any global video content partner the opportunity to broadcast live on the Web via YouTube. To avail the opportunity, broadcasters simply require a webcam or external USB/FireWire camera.

In addition, the test also supports a "Live Comments" module which will give the viewers the ability to interact with the broadcaster and the YouTube community.

With YouTube essentially being a video-on-demand platform, the trial will mark the company's live video streaming move will push it into competition with traditional television, more so as live programming amalgamates the power of VoD with classic live cable TV.

Noting that "consumers are addicted to live news and sports - something YouTube has never been able to deliver," Chase Norlin, CEO of the online video syndication service AlphaBird, said: "If YouTube can offer up live events and license video content, then they have everything the consumer wants. At that point the only constraint is getting the YouTube library on a television set."