Since its launch in late 2017, Facebook Watch has quickly gained popularity, drawing in 1.25 billion users per month to its dedicated video tab. This puts the social media giant in direct competition with YouTube, the reigning leader in the online video streaming industry boasting over two billion monthly users. While Facebook Watch initially had a slow start, the platform has been able to form partnerships to offer a diverse range of original content, news media videos, sports entertainment, and content from various creators and celebrities to its massive user base of 2.47 billion subscribers. Even though not all users engage with Facebook Watch, its popularity has surged, especially during the lockdown period.
Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, Facebook Watch became a go-to for content related to religion, fitness, and gaming, resulting in a remarkable 75% increase in viewing hours within these categories between the first and second quarters of 2020. Despite this growth, Facebook Watch still trails behind YouTube in terms of overall users.
To close the gap with its competitor, Facebook has taken the initiative to host music videos on its Watch tab in select countries like the United States, Thailand, and India. A-list celebrities such as Katy Perry have opted to debut their music videos on Facebook, attracting a global audience. Furthermore, Facebook Watch has implemented a music recommendation system that offers personalized suggestions based on user preferences.
In addition to music videos, Facebook is actively producing original content to rival YouTube’s popular shows. Series like “Steve on Watch” featuring Steve Harvey, “Red Table Talk: The Estefans” hosted by Jada Pinkett Smith, and “The Biebers on Watch” starring Justin and Hailey Bieber are all designed to capture a sizable viewership. Only time will tell if these shows can garner as much attention as their counterparts on YouTube, such as Justin Bieber’s “Seasons,” which received millions of views within days of its release.
With its expanding user base, diverse content offerings, and innovative features, Facebook Watch is poised to emerge as a formidable challenger to YouTube in the online video streaming market. It remains to be seen whether Facebook Watch can dethrone YouTube and establish itself as a premier platform for video content consumption.
For further information on this topic, you can visit the official Facebook Watch website here. Additionally, to explore more about YouTube and its offerings, you can check out the YouTube platform here.
