Facebook Watch Video Streaming Now Rolling Out Globally

• Facebook introduced its new Watch video service last year for episodic content for the United States.
• The feature is now rolling out globally for all users, and it seeks to offer an alternative to YouTube.
• Some shows in the US have been highly successful with millions of followers, and the global launch should bring in even more users to the service.

Facebook is trying to compete against YouTube with its Watch video streaming service. Facebook Watch was originally launched in the US and is now rolling out for all users. The social media company wants to support publishers through monetization as well as analytics to help them assess performance and metrics.

Shows like PGA Tour, Major League Baseball, and Red Table Talk have gained millions of followers in the US. According to Facebook, up to 50 million people have tuned in to watch videos on the new service, and the global launch can shoot the numbers up heavily. The social media company is set to invest up to $2 billion on the new service to popularize its exclusive content.

The social media company revealed, "We are supporting publishers and creators globally in two critical areas: helping them to make money from their videos on Facebook and better understand how their content is performing.”

Monetization is not available in all countries yet with the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand being the first to be a part of the “Ad Breaks” revenue service after the global launch. 21 other countries will be added in September. Facebook has also adjusted the requirements for monetization to make things easier for smaller content creators. Users need to have at least 10,000 followers or have at least 30,000 one-minute views each month.

Facebook Watch is more social than YouTube with many interactive features that sync with game shows, and videos can also integrate polls, quizzes, and other features. Users can also see what shows have been seen or liked by their friends on the social media platform.

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