Facebook is making a move on its plans to become video-first, and has asked TV producers to pitch exclusive content for the platform.
The social media network wants to concentrate on growing its ecosystem of video content on the platform over the next three years.
In 2016, Facebook introduced a dedicated 'searchable' place for video on the platform. A video icon now appears at the bottom of the mobile app. Tapping on this icon takes users to a personalised video stream, like that of the YouTube home screen.
Until now, the company's video content came from third-party sources uploaded and shared by the creators. Facebook wants to change this, with original programmes created solely for the site which users will pay to watch, with a subscription model similar to Netflix or ShowMax.
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, the Facebook video team has approached television producers to pitch content for the platform in the pop culture, lifestyle, sports, science, gaming and teen genres. The programmes will apparently last between 30 and 60 minutes.
Rivals Netflix and Amazon have found offering original content to be successful, with shows like House of Cards and Transparent.
Last month, it was reported Facebook is creating an app for television set-top boxes, including Apple's Apple TV, and is also in discussions with media companies to license long-form, TV-quality programming. This was not confirmed by Facebook.
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