Mark Zuckerberg


Facebook hires BuzzFeed Studios chief for video content strategy

Facebook has hired the head of BuzzFeed Studio, Matthew Henick, to lead global video content strategy and planning, as its push into original content continues apace. Announcing his move on the social network, Henick said that “Facebook is just setting out on its journey to become a new kind of video platform for the world” […]

Facebook usage time down 5% following updates

Facebook has admitted that recent updates to prioritise personal interactions over posts from businesses, brands and media caused the time spent on the service to drop 5% in Q4, while its content arm has ordered a series from Friends star Courteney Cox. Speaking on the social network’s fourth quarter and full year 2017 results conference […]

Murdoch calls on Facebook to pay ‘carriage fees’ for news

News Corp executive chairman Rupert Murdoch has called for Facebook to pay publishers for news content in the same way that TV operators pay broadcasters to air their channels. In a statement, Murdoch said that reputable news outlets are “not being adequately rewarded”, despite “obviously enhancing the value and integrity of Facebook” through their content. […]

Facebook to demote videos to encourage ‘meaningful interactions’

Facebook is changing its news feed to focus more on “personal connections” in a move that will de-prioritise posts from businesses, brands and media. Announcing the decision in a post on the social network, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that Facebook has always put friends and family at the core of the experience, but that […]

Facebook wants focus on communities, not consumption

Facebook has again emphasised its video ambitions, but said its aim is to foster communities around content rather than encourage “passive consumption”. Speaking on the company’s third quarter earnings call, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg (pictured) predicted that over the next three years “the biggest trend in our products will be the growth of video”. He […]

Facebook launches Watch video platform

Facebook has launched a new platform for episodic programmes, as it makes a bigger push into original video and attempts to lure content creators to the site. Facebook said it intends Watch to be a platform for creators and publishers to “find an audience, build a community of passionate fans, and earn money for their work”. […]

Facebook makes AR push, launches VR app

Facebook signalled a major push into augmented reality and launched a VR app for communicating with friends at its F8 conference yesterday. Speaking at the developers event in San Jose, California, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced Facebook’s new Camera Effects Platform, which is designed to giving developers the power to build AR tools. “If you […]

Facebook to launch video app for TV

Facebook has confirmed it will launch a video app for TV, as part of a raft of new updates designed to improve the video experience on the social network. The Facebook TV app will launch “soon” on Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and Samsung Smart TVs, with more platforms to follow. “Last year we rolled […]

Sprout boards Zuckerberg toon

US kids cable channel Sprout has become the American home of Randi Zuckerberg’s debut animated toon, Dot. The NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment Group network will debut the girls-skewed show, which is from Boat Rocker Media-backed producer Industrial Brothers and Zuckerberg Media in association with The Jim Henson Company and Canadian pubcaster CBC, in September. The series, […]

Facebook explores dedicated video offering

Facebook is looking to launch a dedicated video offering as engagement with video content on the site continues to grow. Speaking on the company’s fourth quarter a full year earnings call, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that 100 million hours of video are now watched each day on Facebook, while COO Cheryl Sandberg added that 500 […]