Facebook Looking to Boost Video by Buying Its Own Shows: Report

Facebook has been pushing video content for quite some time now. The social media networking site has shown serious commitment towards its Live Video feature and has been host to content from other publishing companies. However, the latest development from the company might prove to be a complete game-changer as the company is in talks to commission original shows as well as license content from television studios and other producers.

The social media networking giant is looking to fund some seed video content that includes originals, licensed scripted, and even sports to explore video formats, reports Recode, citing a Facebook executive.

About the latest move from the company, co-founder of College Humor, Ricky Van Veen, who joined Facebook earlier this year said, "Our goal is to kickstart an ecosystem of partner content for the tab, so we're exploring funding some seed video content, including original and licensed scripted, unscripted, and sports content, that takes advantage of mobile and the social interaction unique to Facebook. Our goal is to show people what is possible on the platform and learn as we continue to work with video partners around the world."

Facebook was playing the role of merely a host to other publishers' content; however, that changed earlier this year as it reportedly started paying publishers to use its Live Video service.

As per people who have had discussions with Facebook regarding original content, the company doesn't have a specific funding target or a program, as per the report. This might suggest that the company can be in the initial stages of planning or not serious about this move.

It will be interesting to see how the company moves forward and whether it shows as much commitment towards original content as other players like Netflix and Amazon.