Facebook Watch launches internationally and projects $2 billion spend

Facebook has announced its international rollout of Facebook Watch and is understood to be gearing up for a $2 billion content acquisition spend within the next 12 months.

Watch was launched 12 months ago in America but come Thursday it will be available across the globe.

In the lead up to its international launch, Facebook has strong-armed itself into the sports media market acquiring the English Premier League in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia, and Vietnam; Spanish LaLiga in the Indian subcontinent; and Uefa Champions League in Latin America and Brazil.

Facebook has also struck a sub-licensing deal with Sony Pictures Network India to broadcast select LaLiga games in India.

Facebook’s head of video, Fidji Simo said: “This is a really important moment for us.

“It’s been a year of real progress for Watch, every month, more than 50 million people in the U.S. come to Watch, and the total time spent has increased 14 times since the start of 2018.”

Facebook Watch aims to offer users a specific place on Facebook to discover shows, video creators and open up conversations with friends and other fans whilst also offering interactive features such as polls and quizzes to fulfil the platform’s goal of fostering a sense of community between creators and users.

Facebook has also expanded its Ad Breaks program globally, with the initial launch in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and the UK, allowing Facebook partners to further monetise their content.

Further roll-outs are expected in September.