Facebook Watch, the social network’s budding video hub, is going global.
Facebook announced the rollout on Wednesday, and its content will be available to international users beginning on Thursday. Launched last August in the U.S., Facebook Watch is the company’s attempt to muscle its way into a crowded digital video landscape, aiming to pull eyeballs away from competitors like YouTube and Netflix.
With $1 billion earmarked for content, Facebook Watch has hosted an eclectic mix of shows in its first year; Lakers guard Lonzo Ball and his family have been chronicled on “Ball in the Family,” while Patriots quarterback Tom Brady received his own reality show, “Tom vs. Time.” Facebook has also partnered with several Hollywood celebrities, including Zooey Deschanel and Jada Pinkett Smith, and has rolled out a host of drama and news shows.
About 50 million people in the States watch one of Facebook’s shows for at least a minute each month, according to Fidji Simo, Facebook’s head of video, on Wednesday.
Matthew Henick, Facebook’s head of content strategy and policy, said in a call with reporters that the social network is focused on “evolving our funding content strategy.” Facebook is looking to find new ways to attract creators, giving pages that meet certain benchmarks (10,000 Facebook followers, 3-minute videos, and at least 30,000 views of a minute or longer) the ability to use its Ad Breaks program to monetize their content. The program is available in the U.S., U.K., Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland starting Wednesday and will expand to other countries later in the year.
10 Most Shocking Russian Troll Posts on Facebook and Instagram, From Hillary Clinton to Police Brutality (Photos)
The U.S. House Intelligence Committee on Thursday released more than 3,500 advertisements and posts spread by Russian trolls before and after the 2016 U.S. election. Below is a look at 10 of the most shocking examples that stood out from Congress's reveal.
House Intelligence Committee
Many posts pushed the narrative that Hillary Clinton would confiscate guns if she were elected President.
House Intelligence Committee
This graphic meme painted cops as KKK members attacking a young black child.
House Intelligence Committee
Only "sissies" and other undesirables wouldn't support Donald Trump, many of the memes said.
House Intelligence Committee
President Obama was a "pawn" and "traitor" in the hands of "Arabian Sheikhs," said one 2016 ad.
House Intelligence Committee
The "Black Matters US" page touched on hot button issues like police shootings.
House Intelligence Committee
The "Army of Jesus" page shared a bible verse, along with this meme.
House Intelligence Committee
Russian trolls also used Instagram to spread sponsored political memes.
House Intelligence Committee
The "Blacktivist" page routinely shared memes on Colin Kaepernick and other football players kneeling during the national anthem.
House Intelligence Committee
"Heart of Texas" routinely posted on "Killary Rotten Clinton," and threatened to secede from the union if she won the election.
House Intelligence Committee
The "Being Patriotic" page labeled ex-cons as "Obama voters."
House Intelligence Committee
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Congress just released 3,500 posts touching on a myriad of topics
The U.S. House Intelligence Committee on Thursday released more than 3,500 advertisements and posts spread by Russian trolls before and after the 2016 U.S. election. Below is a look at 10 of the most shocking examples that stood out from Congress's reveal.