Facebook grows broadcast partnerships

Facebook has revealed the latest broadcasters it is partnering with on original content in EMEA for its Watch video platform.

Louise Holmes

The social media giant, which moved into the video streaming business three years ago, has claimed 1.25 billion people are now visiting Watch every month.

Louise Holmes, director of entertainment partnerships, EMEA at Facebook, who joined last year from ViacomCBS, pointed to Germany broadcaster ProSiebenSat.1’s The Masked Singer after-show spin-off for Watch as an example of  broadcasters tapping Facebook’s wide reach to engage with viewers online.

“As a result of the success we’re seeing in Europe, we’re continuing to work with a host of global broadcasters, digi-publishers and studios to support the creation of new show concepts and formats on Watch,” said Holmes.

Holmes added the company is “looking forward to expanding our investments across the region” by adding thousands of new videos to the platform, including exclusive episodic shows.

In France, Facebook Watch will partner with M6 into 2021, with the broadcaster adding new episodic spin-offs, extra content and behind-the-scenes footage to go alongside programming such as Top Chef, Euro 2021 and France’s Got Talent.

In MENA, Facebook Watch will be the exclusive home to after-shows, behind-the-scenes footage and interviews to support some of MBC Group’s most popular TV shows, including The Voice and Family Feud.

Also in the region, Facebook Watch is working with TVision on exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of Saturday Night Live Arabia, as well as shows including Netflix’s Raya7 El Madam.

In the UK, Facebook Watch is working with online publisher LadBible on more episodes of Text Dating, fronted by comedian Russell Kane.

In Germany, Facebook Watch’s relationship with ProSiebenSat.1 will continue with collaborations on formats including The Masked Singer and The Voice of Germany. The group will also make Watch the home to archive clips from shows such as comedy Knallerfrauen.

In Italy, Facebook Watch is working with Ciaopeople on three shows featuring Italian content creators: scripted comedy Housemate of the Third Type, starring Frank Matano; The Condo, from Le Coliche; and hidden-camera format Don’t Call Us Poor Guys, starring Alessio Tenace and Alessandro Stigliano.

Finally, in Spain, Facebook Watch is working with 2btube on the shortform show Discovering my Penthouse, which will star creators Nancy Risol and La Pelo as they explore the homes and lives of teenagers and influencers around the world.