Viacom Digital Studios International (VDSI) announced earlier today that it would be developing new short-form content for the international market on Facebook’s streaming platform, Facebook Watch. The content will be targeted at Latin American, Asian, and European audiences, in areas The Hollywood Reporter describes as “key international markets.”
This isn’t the first time that Facebook has partnered with a prominent media company to develop content for its Facebook Watch service. In 2018, Facebook partnered with European organizations to produce new journalism series, which included Uncovered from Channel 4 News and Cut Through the Noise from the BBC. Facebook Watch expanded these journalism programs earlier this year, just after Facebook came under fire from the EU for not upholding copyright protections on their platform. In response, Facebook Watch ensured its partner studios that publishers would have full editorial control over the shows.
The VDSI/Facebook Watch partnership will result in various types of short-form content coming to international markets. For the Latin American audience, VDSI is developing two shows; Useless Life-Hacks, a show that seems to follow in the footsteps of (and poke fun at) the notorious DIY YouTube genre, and Na Quebrada, game-show that “approaches the ‘Brazilian ghetto universe,’ hosted by comedian Thiago Ventura.” In Asian markets, VDSI will be partnering with MTV Asia to bring to life shows like 5 in 5, a celebrity-guest centered game show, and Generation Change, a docu-series about young change-makers in Southeast Asia. VDSI will also partner with MTV U.K. to create short-form spinoffs of some of MTV U.K.’s most popular series, including a spinoff of True Love or True Lies? titled More Love and More Lies, and a spinoff of Geordie Shore titled Geordie More.
Brendan Yam, Senior VP Viacom Digital Studios International, commented on his enthusiasm at partnering with Facebook Watch for these new series, highlighting the importance of Facebook’s and Viacom’s global recognition. Release dates for all the series listed above have not yet been announced.