Cable network E! is bringing its own take on celeb news and gossip to the world’s biggest social network with the launch of its first-ever Facebook Live show.
The broadcaster’s Live from E! talk show will be live-streamed daily via its popular Facebook page, reports Variety.
Filmed using an Apple iPhone 6S Plus, the show will make its debut on Facebook Live today, March 21, at 12.30 p.m. ET, returning at the same time slot each weekday.
E! is hoping it can attract an audience from its massive social media following, which includes 9 million Facebook page likes alone. Those particular users will be alerted of the show’s broadcast each day via Facebook notifications, unless of course they choose to disable them.
If you decide to tune in, you’ll find the show completely revamped to fit its new setting. E! claims the talk show has been optimized for the Facebook Live single-camera format, with the host speaking directly to viewers. Those watching will have a chance to shape the discussion using questions or comments, which can be left on the network’s Facebook page during the broadcast, that will then be tackled live on air.
“We are looking to expand our offsite video platform by leveraging the best and newest technology available in social,” John Najarian, executive VP and general manager of E! news and digital, told Variety.
“By innovating the Live From E! series and simulcasting it on the Facebook Live platform, we will continue to bring our viewers the great breaking news content and topical discussions they have always loved about the franchise, while also not sacrificing engagement and production quality.”
Since rolling out Live Video to general users, Facebook has been pursuing major broadcasters to use its service. The platform’s recent push to promote the feature caused a backlash when users complained of receiving far too many alerts for live stream broadcasts.
Nonetheless, Facebook continues to seek out new live streaming avenues, including a rumored battle for broadcasting rights to the NFL’s Thursday Night Football. Speaking of its plans in a recent report, the company stated: “We believe that live video on Facebook is a different and complementary experience to conventional TV programming.”
