Report: Facebook developing TV app

Facebook is reportedly developing a big-screen video app as part of its efforts to position itself as a video-first company.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the social network is working on a video app for TV set-top boxes, including the Apple TV.

The report also said that Facebook is in talks with media companies to license long-form, TV-quality programming, with the app to provide another way for Facebook to distribute that content.

Facebook said earlier this month that it had changed to how its news feed surfaces relevant videos, placing more emphasis on longer content, while the firm has long been working to up its video credentials.

Ricky Van Veen

Facebook rolled out live-streaming via Facebook Live to all users last year and in December also introduced live 360° video streaming for the first time.

Recent reports indicate that Facebook is due to start testing mid-roll video ads so that publishers can monetise the videos they upload to the social network.

Tech news site Recode also reported in December that CollegeHumor co-founder Ricky Van Veen – who joined Facebook as head of global creative strategy earlier this year – is leading talks with TV studios and video producers about licensing shows to bolster the social network’s video efforts.