Facebook Launches Video Platform, Watch

Facebook pushes forward with its big plans to enter the television market with the launch of a new video tab called Watch. In late June, Facebook executives reportedly met with Hollywood studios and talent agencies to discuss the production of new and original TV shows.

This week, the social media giant introduced the Watch platform, which aims to change the way people watch videos and TV shows online. The platform features a personalized Watchlist which is based on the user’s profile, friends and communities.

Facebook Watch Is Initially Available In The U.S.

According to a Reuters report, among the shows to be made available on the platform include Women’s National Basketball Association, a parenting show made by Time Inc and a safari show by National Geographic. Also, broadcasts of Major League Baseball games which it has already started, will continue on the platform.

The Watch tab is available on mobile, on PCs and through the TV apps, but is initially available to a limited group of people in the United States. Facebook says that it will make it available to more people soon but did not share specific dates.

Inside the Watch tab, videos will also be grouped according to popularity or those that are “most talked about,” or even what the user’s community is watching, e.g. “friends are watching.” Users will get a personalized viewing experience by choosing what they shows they want to see on their Watchlist.

Watch Will Be A Platform For Creators Too

The company also envisions the platform to be one where creators who are part of the Facebook community can share their content and earn from it too. To jumpstart the creation process, the company has provided seed funding for several shows which focus on community-oriented themes. Episodes of these shows will be shown via the platform.

Aside from crowdsourcing content, Facebook also has its own original content in the pipeline, collaborating with groups such as BuzzFeed, Group Nine Media, Vox Media and ATTN.