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Can Facebook Take Over Apple TV?

Facebook already rules our social lives. Can it take over our TVs, too?

Positioning itself accordingly, the social giant is reportedly working on an app that could “broadcast” premium fare on Apple TV, and similar set-top boxes.  

Facebook has been developing the app since the summer, The Wall Street Journal reports, citing various sources.

What programming does Facebook have to overtake TV land, you ask?

Well, that’s remains a work in progress, too. Word is that Facebook is currently de-emphasizing live video in its ongoing discussions with partner publishers. In its place, the company appears to be pushing publishers to create longer, professionally produced video content.

Facebook have also been reaching out to TV studios and other media companies about licensing its own shows, according to multiple reports. The discussions are being spearheaded by Ricky Van Veen, the co-founder of College Humor, who joined Facebook’s executive ranks in early 2016.

The would-be app adds another dimension to Facebook’s bold video ambitions.  

As Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said on a recent earnings call: “We’re putting video first."

To be sure, Facebook doesn’t need Apple or other set-top-box makers to begin exploring new video monetization opportunities. Among other efforts, the tech titan is reportedly readying a mid-roll ad format, which will give brands the opportunity to reach video viewers, midstream.  

For publishers providing the content, Facebook is expected to give them 55% of the mid-roll ad revenue -- the same share presently offered by Google’s YouTube unit.

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