After first announcing Watch in August 2017 and conducting trial runs in the U.S. for a year, Facebook officially confirmed in August 2018 that the platform will now be available worldwide. Accessible via mobile devices, computers, and TV applications, Watch offers users the ability to follow programs and live broadcasts through a personalized Watchlist.
With 90% of online content now being video and YouTube leading the pack, social media giants are continually driven to innovate in this space. Facebook aims to provide a unique experience with Watch, a platform featuring programs across diverse categories such as entertainment, sports, and culture. Users can watch content tailored to their interests while also following videos viewed by friends and communities. Additionally, viewers can interact in real time by commenting while watching videos.
After a year of limited availability in the U.S., Watch has already amassed over 50 million viewers. The platform allows content creators and publishers to showcase their work, engage with their audience, and monetize their content. Moreover, the Ad Breaks feature is being expanded to more users. Ad Breaks enable creators to place ads at the beginning, middle, or bottom of their videos, either manually or through Facebook’s automatic ad placement feature.
Today, Watch becomes available in countries including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. Next month, it is expected to launch in Argentina, El Salvador, France, Germany, Honduras, Mexico, Norway, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Thailand, Sweden, and Ecuador, with plans for further expansion to additional countries.
To access Watch, simply click on the Watch icon in the shortcut bar or the “More” bookmark on iOS and Android. The platform is also available on devices such as Apple TV, Samsung Smart TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Xbox One, and Oculus TV.