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ACEBOOK TO LAUNCH NEWS VIA WATCH PLATFORM
The social media company is currently tapping partnerships with around ten publishers from legacy and digital platforms to test the video feature on daily runs for about a year. According to sources, the tests would help Facebook understand budget needs and monetisation on the platform. AXIOS SPILLED THE SCOOP LAST WEEK ABOUT FACEBOOK’S PLAN TO LAUNCH ITS NEWS SECTION THIS SUMMER. APPARENTLY, THIS WOULD BE THE FIRST STANDALONE VIDEO NEWS PRODUCT FOR NATIONAL NEWS TO APPEAR IN WATCH.
While the videos are expected to be short (a minimum of three minutes), Facebook was known to have solicited proposals for news shows. In future, media outlets might go for longer programming that will resemble television news rather than quick drive-by news. According to one potential partner, news length may vary depending on the publisher type, the nature and quality of news format (3-5 minutes for digital publishers and up to 30 minutes for legacy media). The news videos are meant to be exclusively created for Facebook Watch. The News section was intended to be a hub that people can go to daily for appointment viewing, as opposed to viral videos on the news feed.
WHAT WAS BEHIND THE MOVE? Facebook earlier said they would promote more meaningful engagements on its platform. A carefully curated news hub will ensure users are getting high- quality and timely content that is worthy of being shared with their friends and family. On another note, a news product native to the platform is totally in line with Facebook’s drive to curb the spread of fake news and misinformation within its platform. It will also allow Facebook to ensure a high level of quality control over video content published on their platform. The partnerships are anticipated to build a better relationship between Facebook and publishers in a collaborative way. If you recall, Facebook made changes with its algorithm recently which threatened some publishers (some of them longtime media partners) of losing their audiences when the social media platform decided it will show fewer sponsored posts.
In a statement to Axios, Campbell Brown, Head of News Partnerships for Facebook said: “Timely news video is the latest step in our strategy to make targeted investments in new types of programming on Facebook Watch... As part of our broader effort to support quality news on Facebook, we plan to meet with a wide- range of potential partners to develop, learn and innovate on news programming tailored to succeed in a social environment. Our early conversations have been encouraging, and we're excited about the possibilities ahead.”
WHAT’S IN IT FOR PUBLISHERS? Similar to what they did with Facebook Live and the initial launching of Watch last year, Facebook will be paying publishers to produce news programs for its platform. A publisher said without Facebook paying for them; it will be financially difficult to put up the outfit, with them having to devote one whole team and resources for the shows.
HOW DID PUBLISHERS RESPOND TO FACEBOOK’S INVITATION? Although Facebook has had successfully worked with different news companies and organisations in developing programs that helped, NBC News Chairman Andrew Lack said that Facebook had tried similar efforts in the past, but nothing has materialised. Apparently, the social media platform has garnered disappointment and dissatisfaction over the recent changes with its News Feed and unsuccessful feats such as Facebook Live and Instant Articles. If people will get used to appointment viewing on Facebook Watch and visit the video news hub section regularly, it will be a win for Facebook and publishers. Overall, if News stands out as a major source for news content and completely overshadow misinformation and fake news, it will be a win for the everyone.
SOURCE HTTP://DIGITALMARKETING AUTHORITY.BLOGSPOT.CO M/2018/03/FACEBOOK-TO- LAUNCH-NEWS-VIA- WATCH.HTML
