Facebook and Twitter set sights on streaming live TV

Facebook and Twitter are trying to bag the rights for streaming TV shows and have reached out to programmers. Over the past few weeks, Facebook has held talks with a number of TV executives.

The company is exploring possibilities of creating bundles of channels to deliver programmes, a source familiar with the matter told the New York Post.

It is unclear how the company would deliver the shows. The source said: "They have talked about it, but no one's seen a demo yet."

The programmers are considering whether streaming deals are good for their business, said a TV executive. The sources added that Facebook's move to bring programming onto the social platform is a way of reaching out to young audiences.

"All of a sudden, Facebook and Twitter are trying to get in the tent with us. They are each arguing their attributes and why aligning with then is to out our advantage," the sources are quoted as saying.

Twitter has been trying to convince the programmers that they can bring more youngsters to TV networks by just clicking a button.

Ad agencies are reported to see opportunities for both TV programmers and advertisers in Facebook's proposed product.

Recently, Dan Rose, Facebook's vice president of partnership, confirmed the company was in discussions with the NFL about securing rights to live-stream games. It was also having talks with Hollywood agents to bring actors and music artistes to its live streaming programme.

In December 2015, Facebook introduced live videos that allow users to share live videos on the platform. The live feature lets users see the number of live viewers during the broadcast of a video, the names of friends who are tuning in and real-time stream of comments. Facebook also wants celebrities and other well-known people to broadcast on its live video streaming services.