Seven Studios, the wholly-owned content division of Seven West Media, has extended its content deal with Facebook to include new original formats.
The new partnerships pairs production with creators to produce exclusive series for Facebook Watch. The first creators who will be featured include:
- Tanya Hennessy
- Jordan Watson (How To Dad)
- Elise Strachan (My Cupcake Addiction)
- Joel Creasey
- Erin Holland
Together, these creators have amassed a social following of over 15 million people. Seven Studios was the first production company in Australia commissioned by Facebook to create original, multi-episode series for its Watch video platform.
The new project is led by Matt Apps, executive producer and digital content lead at Seven, along with Michael Horrocks, executive producer - comedy.
“This further cements the partnership with Facebook to create premium, short-form series at scale, with some of our country’s best talent," Seven Studios CEO Therese Hegarty says.
"The partnerships gives the creators and us the freedom to experiment with formats and flex towards new ideas and audiences. It is hugely exciting for us and we are thrilled with the opportunity”.
The relationship between Facebook and the major TV networks has been heavily discussed throughout the year, with the ACCC's Digital Platform Inquiry revealing areas of improvement that need to be made to better regulate the likes of Google and Facebook.
While the likes of Seven, Nine and Ten have all entered into some form of content deal with Facebook in recent months, Nine CEO Hugh Marks has made a call to action for media buyers and advertisers to pull spend from the social media giant and invest it back into broadcast video on demand.
Seven chairman Kerry Stokes has also urged the government to seriously consider the recommendations made by the ACCC and similarly regulate Facebook and Google to how TV is also regulated.
“Facebook Watch is a video destination on Facebook, where content, community, and conversation come together," Facebook entertainment partnerships lead Revie Sylviana says.
"Fans can join the conversation by viewing along with others, interacting within Facebook pages and even connecting directly with show creators and talent. Our goal is to encourage high quality, appointment viewing style content across Watch.”
The first shows are live now and can all be found on the Channel 7 Facebook page.
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