Facebook Developing App for Set-Top Boxes Like Apple TV

[MacRumors]

Social networking site Facebook is currently working on an app for set-top boxes like the Apple TV, reports The Wall Street Journal. The new app is said to be part of a series of projects aimed at expanding Facebook's video content offerings and expanding revenue sources.

Citing sources with knowledge of Facebook's plans, The Wall Street Journal says Facebook is speaking with media companies about licensing long-form TV-quality "premium" programming that would be shared in a Facebook app on set-top boxes. Media companies say Facebook is aiming for videos that are upwards of 10 minutes in length and are created specifically for the social network, with a focus on everything from sports to scripted shows.

Late last year, some employees at Facebook started referring to the platform's future as a type of "mobile TV," one of the people said. The social network is hoping to cut into the time Americans spend watching live television--around four hours a day on average, according to media measurement firm Nielsen.

Facebook has been delving heavily into video content in recent years, promoting both short videos and live video capabilities that allow people to broadcast content live to their friends and family. Facebook is said to be ready to move on from shorter videos and live video to longer form higher-quality videos, including original programming.

There's no word on when Facebook's app designed for television sets could be released, but work on the app has been in high gear since the second half of 2016.

Article Link: Facebook Developing App for Set-Top Boxes Like Apple TV

 

[newyorkone]

So they can steal, and rack up the play count on other people's media content even more without giving them any credit...

 

[Sweetfeld28]

Great, thats just what we need... Facebook on TV. No Thanks, I see enough Ads on TV.

 

[spyguy10709]

How about an iPad pro app first?

 

[Micool1]

Weren't they supposed to make an Apple Watch app back when it came out?

 

[QuarterSwede]

Yeah ... not interested. I'll get my videos from YouTube thanks.

 

[philosoraptor1]

Way behind schedule. I need at least four Facebook apps for my tv.

 

[Born Again]

Let me summarize the haters.

Facebook sucks.
I don't trust Facebook.
Stick to baby pictures.

But guess what?

Appletv hasn't innovated.
It's still stuck with the archaic interface and missed the boat on games.

So go ahead complain about Facebook but you really need to direct your hate to Apple.

 

[John.B]

Let me summarize the haters.

The two are in no way mutually exclusive.

 

[groove-agent]

It would be nice to have more apps for ATV. The selection right now is almost useless. Plex is the only one I use on it.

I got a BT controller for it for Christmas. I took it back because the selection of games was awful (and the apple store would only give me store credit). I guess i was hoping the selection would be remotely like iOS. Clearly not.

 

[Zirel]

Let me summarize the haters.

Facebook sucks.
I don't trust Facebook.
Stick to baby pictures.

But guess what?

Appletv hasn't innovated.
It's still stuck with the archaic interface and missed the boat on games.

So go ahead complain about Facebook but you really need to direct your hate to Apple.

Hey people, you are not hating Apple enough...

 

[FelixDerKater]

Facebook Live has the potential to kill TV as we know it.

 

[bladerunner2000]

It's never getting installed on my Nvidia Shield TV.

No thanks, Zuckerberg.

 

[knemonic]

So I can read fake news on my tv now? Sweet!

 

[Ballis]

So long they spilt it up into as many apps as possible with hardly any content, Im all for it

 

[Romy90210]

I woulsn't mind being able to live stream to my ATV... So maybe an APP that shows only videos and live Streams from FB....

 

[coolfactor]

How about an iPad pro app first?

Facebook + Pro?

Something doesn't smell right about that...

 

[spyguy10709]

Facebook + Pro?

Something doesn't smell right about that...

It's a 12 inch iPad, regardless of what they named it, Facebook should run well on it. Also a lot of people's jobs involve Facebook, bud

 

[sdwaltz]

Let's see:
1) Even after a year and a half...A YEAR AND A FREAKING HALF...they STILL have not updated the app to support the 12.9 inch iPad Pro's larger resolution and superior on-screen keyboard. They update the app every 2 weeks like clockwork, yet they can't seem to find it within themselves to simply add support for a higher resolution. I write a scathing review for the app every time and still no changes. It drives me insane. Let's focus on that, shall we Facebook? It's not like they're some struggling company without the resources to do so, and it's not like their app doesn't get tons of usage from all over the globe.
2) Facebook on Apple TV sounds like a borderline retarded idea. That's all I have to say about that.

 

[Cloudkicker]

Never. I've read forums on how neglected ATV is & I love the openess of my Roku. CNet & other tech websites repeatedly ranked Roku as the most flexible OTT platform. Facebook is bloated, to me, even in its app!

Just a shame games on Roku never materialized since I noticed the "A"/"B" buttons on my 2015 Roku 3 are absent on my 2017 Roku Stick.

 

[rickrussie]

As someone who makes original content on YouTube, I kinda hate Facebook video. That said, it could be a really good opportunity for creators looking for a new platform. Never underestimate Facebook's ability to steal someone else's idea and make it popular.