In what seemed to be an increasingly inevitable move, Facebook is in discussions to license exclusive video content.
Peter Kafka of Recode reported that the social network is negotiating with television studios and other video providers to license content including scripted shows, game shows and sports.
The initiative is being led by head of global creative strategy Ricky Van Veen, who joined Facebook in June from CollegeHumor, where he was a co-founder, and Van Veen told Kafka:
Earlier this year, we started rolling out the video tab, a dedicated place for video on Facebook. Our goal is to kick-start an ecosystem of partner content for the tab, so we’re exploring funding some seed video content–including original and licensed scripted, unscripted and sports content–that takes advantage of mobile and the social interaction unique to Facebook. Our goal is to show people what is possible on the platform and learn as we continue to work with video partners around the world. Facebook took similar steps for its Facebook Live livestreaming feature, as Deepa Seetharaman and Steven Perlberg of The Wall Street Journal reported in June that the social network had reached nearly 140 agreements with media companies, publishers and public figures for Facebook Live content, with those pacts valued at more than $50 million.
Readers: What are your thoughts on Facebook?s move toward original content"
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