Facebook is expanding its video platform while reportedly slashing news show funding
Today, the platform announced it was expanding its 15-sec ads to more than a dozen new countries, as well as launching Watch on desktop globally and on Facebook Lite.
The move comes just as Facebook slashed funding for some of its original news shows made in partnership with CNN, Buzzfeed, and ABC News, The Information reported today.
So Facebooks priorities seem to be moving more toward novel twists on classic television programming, rather than trying to capitalize on the popularity of digital media brands.
Its been nearly a year and a half since Facebook Watch first launched, and viewership has naturally been minuscule compared to YouTube, Twitch, and other more mature platforms. That may be a product of poor marketing and awareness. Twelve months in, Facebook Watch was still virtually unknown by 50 percent of US adults, according to a recent survey conducted by Diffusion Group.
Facebook hasnt disclosed unique Watch visitors, and the company instead counts its repeat visitors as separate views.
Contrast that with YouTubes estimated 1.9 billion monthly active users as of September this year, according to stats from Omnicore.
The news that Facebook will expand ads in more countries and continue to grow Watch on desktop indicates it sees video, especially video tailored to international markets, as a hugely valuable growth opportunity for its sprawling ad empire. The service has also reportedly been in talks with other media companies about approaching the 30 and older demographic, after discovering teens were fleeing Facebook in favor of its younger, hipper sister platform Instagram.
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