Facebook is now planning on a full attack of Youtube with the debut of Facebook Watch.
Watch is Facebook’s new platform for watching shows on desktop, mobile, or through Facebook’s TV apps. Those shows can be live or pre-recorded. viewers can follow a theme or storyline, and there’s a big emphasis on interaction while watching, so comments and reactions form a key part of the Watch experience.
Viewers will also be able to see comments and connect with friends and dedicated groups for shows.
Ads will be key to Facebook’s efforts to take on video giant YouTube
“Watching a show doesn’t have to be passive,” said the company’s founder Mark Zuckerberg in a Facebook post.
“It can be a chance to share an experience and bring people together who care about the same things.”
Video has been available on Facebook for some time, but until now, it has mostly been dominated by semi-pros and short segments from news organisations.
