The social network is aspiring to become more like a TV network.
Facebook wants to start producing original programming as early as this summer. The social media giant has been talking to TV studios and talent agencies in Hollywood about creating video content for the platform as early as late summer.
The company wants to make “TV-quality” programming for people between 13 and 34, according to the Wall Street Journal. In its discussions with entertainment companies, Facebook representatives said they wanted to avoid news, politics, nudity, and coarse language.
The push into content is motivated by Facebook’s desire to tap into the billions spent on television advertising as well as a way for the company to improve its video offerings.
Wall Street Journal reports the social media company has expressed interest in spending as much as s $3 million per episode and less-expensive ones in the middle six figure range. In addition to these scripted shows, Facebook also is pursuing short-form unscripted content and has already tapped brands like Buzzfeed, ATTN, and Refinery 29.
Facebook’s move into original programming follows something similar from Apple, which is releasing a few original shows this fall.
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