The massive behemoth media company known as Facebook is currently in talks to license shows on its platform, including game shows, scripted shows and sports, according to Recode.
Company executives, led by Head of Global Creative Strategy Ricky Van Veen, have been conducting meetings with television studios and video producers in an effort to further explore the role of video.
In June, the Wall Street Journal reported that Facebook reinvested in live video content as it signed deals with publishers and content producers to the tune of $50 million. The media companies included Vox Media, the New York Times, Mashable and Huffington Post in addition to celebrities such as comedian Kevin Hart, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and 28-time Olympic medalist Michael Phelps.
“Earlier this year, we started rolling out the Video tab, a dedicated place for video on Facebook,” Van Veen said in a statement to Recode. “Our goal is to kickstart an ecosystem of partner content for the tab, so we’re exploring funding some seed video content, including original and licensed scripted, unscripted, and sports content, that takes advantage of mobile and the social interaction unique to Facebook. Our goal is to show people what is possible on the platform and learn as we continue to work with video partners around the world.”
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Around sports video content, Facebook and Bleacher Report partnered this fall for three Facebook Live broadcasts of high school football games while the media company also recently signed a deal with the Atlantic 10 Conference to broadcast 10-15 regular season men’s basketball games via Facebook Live during the 2016-17 season. Mercer University had its own stand-alone partnership with Facebook last month as it also live streamed a men’s basketball game on the platform.
Last month, Facebook launched its first Facebook Live sports-themed television advertisement, further signaling the importance of video content and where the media company’s priorities lie. The reported push into video could mean the potential for more live sports coming to the platform, especially from some of the professional U.S. sports leagues who don’t have live streaming deals in place.
Still, with Van Veen’s mention of “sports content,” it’s still a guessing game what that exactly means heading into 2017.