Facebook to also turn TV producer

Facebook Inc is in talks with Hollywood studios about producing scripted, TV-quality shows, with an aim of launching original programming by late summer, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday. The social networking giant has indicated that it was willing to commit to production budgets as high as $3 million (Dh11 million) per episode, in meetings with Hollywood talent agencies.

Facebook is hoping to target audiences from ages 13 to 34. The company has already lined up Strangers, a relationship drama, and a game show, Last State Standing, the report said.

The company is expected to release episodes in a traditional manner, instead of dropping an entire season in one go like Netflix Inc and Amazon.com Inc. The company is also willing to share its viewership data with Hollywood, the report said. —Reuters