Have you noticed that the Facebook app on your phone has added a little TV icon at the bottom? This is Facebook Watch and it was released in the USA last year and has finally visited our shores this month. It is basically lets your fans watch and find your video content a little bit easier. When you make a new video your channel icon comes up at the top of the screen and easy to watch and fine. Check it out. More info below.<\/p>\n
Also you might have seen that Instragram TV (IGTV) has launched. It specialises in long form video – basically holding your video in portrait mode. It will be big! Also there is talk of ad revenue going to content creators so keep an eye on that as well.<\/p>\n
If you ever want to talk about techniques \/ software etc for making videos get in touch with Hands Up for Trad.<\/p>\n
Facebook Watch (Facebook’s notes)<\/strong><\/p>\n We\u2019re introducing Watch<\/strong>, a new platform for shows on Facebook. Watch will be available on mobile, on desktop and laptop, and in our TV apps. Shows are made up of episodes \u2014 live or recorded \u2014 and follow a theme or storyline. To help you keep up with the shows you follow, Watch has a Watchlist<\/strong> so you never miss out on the latest episodes.<\/p>\n Watch is personalized to help you discover new shows, organized around what your friends and communities are watching. For example, you\u2019ll find sections like \u201cMost Talked About,\u201d which highlights shows that spark conversation, \u201cWhat\u2019s Making People Laugh,\u201d which includes shows where many people have used the Haha reaction, and \u201cWhat Friends Are Watching,\u201d which helps you connect with friends about shows they too are following.<\/p>\n We\u2019ve learned from Facebook Live that people\u2019s comments and reactions to a video are often as much a part of the experience as the video itself. So when you watch a show, you can see comments and connect with friends and other viewers while watching, or participate in a dedicated Facebook Group for the show.<\/p>\n A Platform for Shows<\/strong><\/p>\n Watch is a platform for all creators and publishers to find an audience, build a community of passionate fans, and earn money for their work. We think a wide variety of Facebook shows can be successful, particularly:<\/p>\n \u2022\tShows that engage fans and community.<\/strong> Nas Daily<\/em> publishes a daily show where he makes videos together with his fans from around the world. The Watchlist makes it easy for fans to catch every day\u2019s new episode.<\/p>\n \u2022\tLive shows that connect directly with fans.<\/strong> Gabby Bernstein<\/em>, a New York Times bestselling author, motivational speaker, and life coach, uses a combination of recorded and live episodes to connect with her fans and answer questions in real time.<\/p>\n \u2022\tShows that follow a narrative arc or have a consistent theme.<\/strong> Tastemade\u2019s Kitchen Little<\/em> is a funny show about kids who watch a how-to video of a recipe, then instruct professional chefs on how to make it. Each episode features a new child, a new chef, and a new recipe. Unsurprisingly, the food doesn\u2019t always turn out as expected.<\/p>\n \u2022\tLive events that bring communities together.<\/strong> Major League Baseball<\/em> is broadcasting a game a week on Facebook, enabling people to watch live baseball while connecting with friends and fellow fans on the platform.<\/p>\n We think Watch will be home to a wide range of shows, from reality to comedy to live sports. To help inspire creators and seed the ecosystem, we\u2019ve also funded some shows that are examples of community-oriented and episodic video series. For example, Returning the Favor<\/em> is a series hosted by Mike Rowe where he finds people doing something extraordinary for their community, tells the world about it, and in turn does something extraordinary for them. Candidates are nominated by Mike\u2019s fans on Facebook.<\/p>\n