Close
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Cloud
    • Cloud

    Social Media Giant Aims to Become Video Powerhouse With Facebook Watch

    By
    Don Reisinger
    -
    August 14, 2017
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      PrevNext

      1Social Media Giant Aims to Become Video Powerhouse With Facebook Watch

      Social Media Giant Aims to Become Video Powerhouse With Facebook Watch

      Several years ago, Facebook detailed how video would become more important to its business. Since then, Facebook has been investing heavily in video, offering users the opportunity to share and create content across the service. But on Aug. 10, Facebook announced Facebook Watch, a new platform where video producers large and small can post their latest creations. The service will be available on all Facebook apps and clearly an effort to challenge the likes of Netflix, Hulu and all other video only services. Facebook has promised everything from reality shows to live sports. Facebook is determined to establish itelf as a prominent video-streaming competitor.

      2Facebook Watch Dishes Up Video Content

      Facebook Watch Dishes Up Video Content

      Facebook Watch is a new video platform for the world’s most popular social network. The service will allow users to access video content from a dedicated Watch page, where new content will be added on an ongoing basis. There’s also a Watchlist feature, so users can stay abreast of new episodes in their favorite series. Best of all, Facebook Watch will be available to the social network’s users free of charge.

      3Shows Can Be Live or Recorded

      Shows Can Be Live or Recorded

      In what could be a troubling development for services like Hulu and even Netflix, Facebook has said that its service will make available both live and recorded content. That live content will even include regular sporting events, the company said.

      4Here’s How Facebook Is Pitching Publishers

      Here’s How Facebook Is Pitching Publishers

      Facebook Watch will be available to all publishers, including small independent shops and big-name studios. Facebook hasn’t committed to too many shows yet, but said that both one-offs and episodic programming will be available. The company didn’t say whether movies will be streamed through its service.

      5Here’s What to Expect

      Here's What to Expect

      On the user side, Facebook has made clear that its Watch service will appeal to users looking to consume all types of content. Specifically, Facebook said that shows that “engage fans and community” could prove popular. It’ll also look to add “live shows that connect directly with fans,” as well as series that have a traditional “narrative arc.” Facebook has also signed on Major League Baseball to stream one game a week through its service.

      6Publishers Will Earn Cash for Their Creations

      Publishers Will Earn Cash for Their Creations

      Facebook said that it intends to monetize Watch so that publishers will generate cash from their creations posted on the platform. Facebook didn’t detail how publishers can expect to make money off their shows, but suggested that those with bigger audiences and more user engagement will generate more cash.

      7Watch Will Be Available Everywhere

      Watch Will Be Available Everywhere

      Facebook is making Watch as widely available as possible. The service will be integrated into all of the company’s mobile apps on iOS, Android, and elsewhere, and it will of course be accessible in the browser. Facebook will also make Watch available in its TV apps for smart televisions and set-top boxes.

      8How the User Experience Will Work

      How the User Experience Will Work

      Facebook has tried to streamline access to Watch. It’s done so by placing it in a dedicated section within its apps. After starting Watch, users will see a list of featured shows and episodes curated by Facebook. They can also search for content and start following shows they enjoy watching. The shows they follow will be easily accessible in the Watchlist, where users can automatically find the latest episodes and save them for viewing later. When users select a show, it’ll start streaming. They can leave comments, see what’s up next, and of course, play and pause playback.

      9User Reactions Matter

      User Reactions Matter

      User reactions to content could prove to be a critical component in Watch’s broader appeal. Users will be able to post reactions to videos while they’re playing or leave comments on content later. Facebook will also offer dedicated Groups for each show, so folks can discuss episodes. All of those reactions will be used by Facebook to improve its Discovery features and make it easier for users to find content they might best.

      10The Potential Impact of Facebook Watch

      The Potential Impact of Facebook Watch

      To be clear, Facebook Watch represents a huge opportunity for the social network, as well as publishers. It could put a major dent in competing services as far ranging as Netflix, Hulu, and Funny or Die. The main reason is Facebook’s size. With more than 2 billion monthly users, Facebook presents the world’s biggest potential platform for video content. Publishers will likely rush to share content on the service and users could consume it on the service they’re already using.

      11Here’s How to Get Watch

      Here’s How to Get Watch

      Facebook is using a stepped process to rolling out Watch. The company said that it will first make Watch available to a “limited group of people in the U.S.” and will roll it out to more and more users as time goes on. Facebook will initially provide Watch access to a “limited group of creators” to kick things off and will again roll it out to others “soon.” Facebook didn’t say when Watch will be available to all of its users and publishers.

      PrevNext

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Big Data and Analytics

      Alteryx’s Suresh Vittal on the Democratization of...

      James Maguire - May 31, 2022 0
      I spoke with Suresh Vittal, Chief Product Officer at Alteryx, about the industry mega-shift toward making data analytics tools accessible to a company’s complete...
      Read more
      Cybersecurity

      Visa’s Michael Jabbara on Cybersecurity and Digital...

      James Maguire - May 17, 2022 0
      I spoke with Michael Jabbara, VP and Global Head of Fraud Services at Visa, about the cybersecurity technology used to ensure the safe transfer...
      Read more
      Big Data and Analytics

      GoodData CEO Roman Stanek on Business Intelligence...

      James Maguire - May 4, 2022 0
      I spoke with Roman Stanek, CEO of GoodData, about business intelligence, data as a service, and the frustration that many executives have with data...
      Read more
      Applications

      Cisco’s Thimaya Subaiya on Customer Experience in...

      James Maguire - May 10, 2022 0
      I spoke with Thimaya Subaiya, SVP and GM of Global Customer Experience at Cisco, about the factors that create good customer experience – and...
      Read more
      Cloud

      Yotascale CEO Asim Razzaq on Controlling Multicloud...

      James Maguire - May 5, 2022 0
      Asim Razzaq, CEO of Yotascale, provides guidance on understanding—and containing—the complex cost structure of multicloud computing. Among the topics we covered:  As you survey the...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2021 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×