Report: Facebook signs video content deals

Facebook has reportedly signed deals with youth-focused media companies to make original shows for the social platform.

According to a Reuters report, Facebook has agreed deals with BuzzFeed, Vox Media, Group Nine Media for an forthcoming video service made up of long- and short-form content interspersed with ads.

Facebook is planning to broadcast scripted shows of between 20 to 30 mins and shorter scripted and unscripted content of between five and 10 minutes, Reuters reported citing anonymous sources.

Tech site Recode reported in December that Facebook had started talks with TV studios and video producers about licensing shows, in a bid to bolster its video efforts.

CollegeHumor co-founder Ricky Van Veen, who joined Facebook as head of global creative strategy last June, was reportedly leading the talks.

In February the social network appointed former MTV Networks executive Mina Lefevre as head of development for its original content efforts, based in Los Angeles.

Later the same month Facebook confirmed it was launching a video app for TV as part of a of a raft of new updates designed to improve the video experience on the social network.

To date Facebook has focused heavily on live video and last month vice-president of product, Fidji Simo, revealed that one in every five videos posted to Facebook is now a live broadcast.

Recent research by Ampere Analysis claimed that Facebook is “closing the gap on TV advertising” with the average Facebook user to soon be worth more than an average TV viewer.