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| Facebook Watch video service launches worldwide | Facebook Watch video service launches worldwide |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Facebook's Watch video-streaming service is rolling out worldwide, just over a year after its US launch. | Facebook's Watch video-streaming service is rolling out worldwide, just over a year after its US launch. |
| Users will be able to choose from a range of shows - from both established brands and new players - and have the ability to view clips saved from their News Feeds. | Users will be able to choose from a range of shows - from both established brands and new players - and have the ability to view clips saved from their News Feeds. |
| The firm plans to allow all content creators to feature advertising breaks, so long as they hit certain metrics. | The firm plans to allow all content creators to feature advertising breaks, so long as they hit certain metrics. |
| Until now, only select publishers had been given the opportunity. | Until now, only select publishers had been given the opportunity. |
| To begin with, only videos shown to audiences in the UK, US, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand will have this facility. | To begin with, only videos shown to audiences in the UK, US, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand will have this facility. |
| The revenue split will be 55% to the creators and 45% to Facebook. | The revenue split will be 55% to the creators and 45% to Facebook. |
| Facebook had intended to reveal the roll-out on Wednesday, but brought forward the announcement after details leaked. As a consequence, some users may not be able to access its pages yet. | Facebook had intended to reveal the roll-out on Wednesday, but brought forward the announcement after details leaked. As a consequence, some users may not be able to access its pages yet. |
| Unaware audience | Unaware audience |
| Watch is often portrayed as a rival to Google's YouTube, but it also competes for attention against traditional TV channels as well as online outlets including Netflix, Amazon Video, BBC iPlayer and Facebook's own Instagram TV. | Watch is often portrayed as a rival to Google's YouTube, but it also competes for attention against traditional TV channels as well as online outlets including Netflix, Amazon Video, BBC iPlayer and Facebook's own Instagram TV. |
| A study published last week suggests that it only had niche appeal in its first year in the US. | A study published last week suggests that it only had niche appeal in its first year in the US. |
| Of 1,632 adult Facebook users questioned, 50% had never heard of Watch, while 24% said they were aware of the on-demand service but had never used it, according to the Diffusion Group. | Of 1,632 adult Facebook users questioned, 50% had never heard of Watch, while 24% said they were aware of the on-demand service but had never used it, according to the Diffusion Group. |
| Only 14% told the market research firm that they used it at least once a week. | Only 14% told the market research firm that they used it at least once a week. |
| Another report noted that although some Watch shows had attracted audiences numbering in their millions, they often struggled to retain them. | Another report noted that although some Watch shows had attracted audiences numbering in their millions, they often struggled to retain them. |
| "This seems to be a pattern with most Facebook Watch shows: lots of people sample, few return," wrote Verne Gay for Newsday. | "This seems to be a pattern with most Facebook Watch shows: lots of people sample, few return," wrote Verne Gay for Newsday. |
| Even so, some big name stars have been involved in original programming made for the platform. | Even so, some big name stars have been involved in original programming made for the platform. |
| They include: | They include: |
| ABC, Fox News, Vice and Buzzfeed are among others who have made content for the service. | ABC, Fox News, Vice and Buzzfeed are among others who have made content for the service. |
| Watch together | Watch together |
| Facebook claims that its advantage against other platforms is the ways Watch helps viewers interact with others. | Facebook claims that its advantage against other platforms is the ways Watch helps viewers interact with others. |
| "It is built on the notion that watching video doesn't have to be a passive experience," explained Fidji Simo, Facebook's vice-president of video. | "It is built on the notion that watching video doesn't have to be a passive experience," explained Fidji Simo, Facebook's vice-president of video. |
| "You can have a two-way conversation about the content with friends, other fans or even the creators themselves." | "You can have a two-way conversation about the content with friends, other fans or even the creators themselves." |
| She added that a Watch Party feature lets users co-ordinate themselves to watch a show together, while an Interactivity Platform allows creators to run polls, challenges and quizzes to boost engagement. | She added that a Watch Party feature lets users co-ordinate themselves to watch a show together, while an Interactivity Platform allows creators to run polls, challenges and quizzes to boost engagement. |
| Facebook says the most common feedback it had from creators over the past year was a call for it to allow more of them to include ad breaks. | Facebook says the most common feedback it had from creators over the past year was a call for it to allow more of them to include ad breaks. |
| To qualify publishers must: | To qualify publishers must: |
| One industry watcher predicted the terms would appeal to established independent video-makers, some of whom have been concerned at the way Google's YouTube has run its own advertising programme. | One industry watcher predicted the terms would appeal to established independent video-makers, some of whom have been concerned at the way Google's YouTube has run its own advertising programme. |
| "For a very long time YouTube had the monopoly on online video when it came to offering creators a way to make money from adverts," commented Alex Brinnand, editor of TenEighty magazine. | "For a very long time YouTube had the monopoly on online video when it came to offering creators a way to make money from adverts," commented Alex Brinnand, editor of TenEighty magazine. |
| "And for a while now, many creators have been looking for other potential revenue streams - some have started using [Amazon's] Twitch for example. | "And for a while now, many creators have been looking for other potential revenue streams - some have started using [Amazon's] Twitch for example. |
| "So, this will be welcomed as it provides further options." | "So, this will be welcomed as it provides further options." |
| Facebook said that a second wave of countries - including France, Germany, Norway, Mexico and Thailand would receive ad breaks in September. | Facebook said that a second wave of countries - including France, Germany, Norway, Mexico and Thailand would receive ad breaks in September. |
| The BBC is not providing content to Facebook Watch, but has not ruled out doing so in the future. | |
| "We've got a strong track record collaborating and experimenting with social media platforms to engage with BBC audiences," said a spokesman. | |
| "We continue to watch the market closely and explore options for the future." |