Facebook, Inc. (NASDAQ:$FB) is reportedly paying Time Warner Inc.’s (NYSE:$TWX) Bleacher Report millions of dollars for a reality show that centers around NFL player Marshawn Lynch, the sport site told Reuters. The show will be called “No Script”.
This decision gives the public a clear indication that the social media giant is willing to pay top dollar in order to lure in viewers and ads to its Watch video service.
As mentioned, the reality show will focus on Marshawn Lynch, the Oakland Raiders running back. The show launches at a time when Facebook and numerous other tech giants are spending billions of dollars on original content in an attempt to grab the attention of viewers. In fact, the Wall Street Journal reported that Facebook is planning to spend roughly $1 billion on original shows.
Facebook’s Watch rolled out to United States users last month, and the California-based company has been paying for a number of shows to attract users to the platform. Sources told Reuters in May that the company has paid between $10,000 to $35,000 for shorter-form shows and up to $250,000 for various longer-scripted shows.
“We think we have a big hit on our hands,” president of Bleacher Report Rory Brown said. Despite refusing to comment on how many millions Facebook is paying Bleacher Report for the show, he did say that “people are going to spend more time on Facebook because of it.”
Facebook’s reality show “No Script” will commence streaming this month and it will include eight 10-to-15-minute episodes. One could say Lynch will be getting into various antics on the show; the first episode will center around Lynch participating in race car driving lessons until he ruins the tires on the car.
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