Facebook Watch Goes Global and Expands Advertising Capabilities

Facebook Watch, the social media platform’s video service, is making its Watch video service available worldwide, expanding it out of the U.S.

Watch was accepted into the U.S. video on-demand community without much fanfare. The service airs star-studded shows such as Red Table Talk with actress Jada Pinkett Smith and Huda Boss with beauty mogul Huda Kattan, plus live Major League Baseball coverage. But according to a study by The Diffusion Group, 50% of adult Facebook users have never heard of Watch.

Still, Facebook claims more than 50 million American users view at least a minute of video on Watch every month, with viewing rates increasing. The company has launched services such as “Watch Party” so viewers can engage with friends while watching videos; an Interactivity Platform for polls, challenges, and quizzes; and a series of news programs in partnership with major news networks.

Viewers will be able to watch a range of shows and clips from large brands and smaller video creators. It will also create Watch Parties, where members of Facebook groups can watch video together in real time — this might include hosting a Q&A between a group leader and an audience about hobbies or home improvement.

Facebook is also expanding its ad breaks option for publishers and people who make videos. It had previously tested these with certain publishers but now those who meet its eligibility criteria will be able to include ads.

To be eligible to earn revenue through ad breaks (with 45% of earnings going to Facebook, BBC reports), content creators must have three-minute videos with more than 30,000 one-minute views in the past two months, as well as at least 10,000 Facebook followers.

U.S. revenue from digital video ads is set to hit $19.81 billion by 2020, according to researcher eMarketer.

In July, Facebook announced that it would launch Brand Collabs Manager, a platform connecting video creators with sponsorship opportunities.

(Excerpts) Read More at: CNBC.com and Fortune.com