Facebook Watch is a video service provided by Facebook where you can view shows, live streams and more. It is available on both desktop and mobile to all Facebook users worldwide. Getting access to Facebook Watch is easy and only requires having an account on Facebook.
What is Facebook Watch?
Facebook Watch is a video platform and hub on Facebook where you can view and discover different kinds of video content. This includes:
- Original shows and series produced exclusively for Facebook Watch
- Popular videos and creators on Facebook
- Live streams from individual creators, publishers and organizations
- Videos grouped into categories like Gaming, Sports, News, TV & Movies and more
The videos on Facebook Watch come from official media partners, creators, publishers and everyday users who post video content. Facebook works with media companies and pays professional creators to produce original programming for Facebook Watch.
Facebook Watch was first launched in 2017 as a new video destination within Facebook. It has gradually rolled out and been updated over time. Facebook Watch is now available worldwide on iOS, Android, desktop, laptop, TV apps and Facebook’s Portal devices.
How do I access Facebook Watch?
Accessing Facebook Watch is easy if you already have an account on Facebook. Here are the ways you can get Facebook Watch:
On Desktop
If you are on a desktop or laptop, you can access Facebook Watch in two ways:
- Go directly to the Facebook Watch website at facebook.com/watch. This will take you directly to the Facebook Watch video page.
- Visit facebook.com and click on the Watch tab in the left sidebar menu. The Watch tab will bring you to the Facebook Watch video destination.
On Mobile
On mobile devices like smartphones and tablets, you can get Facebook Watch through the Facebook app:
- Open the Facebook app on your iOS or Android device.
- Tap on the Watch tab at the bottom of the screen. This is the icon that looks like a TV screen.
- The Watch tab will open Facebook Watch where you can browse videos.
On TV
Facebook Watch is available on some smart TVs and TV-connected devices. You can get Facebook Watch on TV through:
- Downloading the Facebook app on LG, Samsung or Android smart TVs
- Using Facebook on TV devices like Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and Portal TV
- Casting or screen mirroring Facebook from your mobile device to your TV
Once you have the Facebook app on your TV, you can get to Facebook Watch by selecting the Watch tab just like on mobile.
What kinds of videos are on Facebook Watch?
You can find all kinds of videos to watch on Facebook Watch, including:
Original Shows
Facebook pays media companies and creators to produce original, exclusive shows and series for Facebook Watch. Some popular originals include:
- Humans of New York: The Series
- Red Table Talk
- Ball in the Family
- Five Points
- Sacred Lies
- Huda Boss
Popular Videos and Creators
You can watch videos from top creators and publishers like:
- BuzzFeed
- Tastemade
- LadBible
- Nas Daily
- The Dodo
- UNILAD Adventure
As well as videos from popular celebrities, artists, digital creators and more.
Live Streams
Individual creators and publishers can go live on Facebook Watch. You may find live streams from:
- Fitness instructors running workout classes
- Musicians performing concerts
- Chefs cooking demonstrations
- Reporters broadcasting breaking news
- Gamers live streaming gameplay
Pages and public figures can also schedule live video events on Watch.
Videos on Interests
Facebook Watch organizes videos into different categories called Shows. Some Shows you may find include:
- Gaming for game live streams and esports
- Sports for sports highlights and commentary
- News for news clips and programs
- TV & Movies for trailers, clips and internet shows
- Fashion, Beauty & Style
- Science & Tech
- Parenting
- Home & DIY
- Fitness & Health
Browsing Shows lets you discover videos based on your interests.
How do I watch videos on Facebook Watch?
Watching videos on Facebook Watch is easy. When you find a video you want to watch, just click or tap on it to open the video player.
The video will start playing automatically. You can pause, play, turn the sound on or off and enable fullscreen mode using the on-screen controls.
Below the video there are options to like, comment and share it. You may also see suggestions for related videos to watch next.
Other tips
- Scroll down on the Watch feed to discover recommended videos to watch
- Search for videos, creators or topics using the search bar
- Filter videos by category by selecting a Show
- Use the Watchlist feature to save videos to a playlist to watch later
- Interact with videos by liking, commenting and sharing them
Can I post videos to Facebook Watch?
Regular Facebook users can post videos to their own Facebook page which may appear on Watch. But only verified Pages and creators can post content directly to Facebook Watch.
To become a creator on Facebook Watch and post your own videos, you need to:
- Have an official, verified Facebook Page representing your brand, business, organization or as an individual creator.
- Partner with Facebook through their official creator partnerships program.
- Get approved by Facebook to publish content to Watch.
Facebook hand picks creators and publishers to create content for Watch based on their audience, content style and ability to produce quality shows or live streams.
Summary
Here are the key points covered on how to get Facebook Watch:
- Facebook Watch is the official video platform on Facebook for shows, live streams and more
- It’s available on desktop, mobile and TV apps to all Facebook users
- Access it on desktop and mobile via the Watch tab in Facebook
- Watch original shows, creator videos, live streams and more
- Official creators can apply to post videos directly to Facebook Watch
Facebook Watch offers a dedicated place on Facebook to watch videos and discover new content. As long as you have a Facebook account, you can start watching videos on Facebook Watch for free right away on any device.
Facebook is continually expanding and improving Watch with new original shows, creators and video formats. So check back often to see what’s new on Facebook’s video platform!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Facebook Watch free?
Yes, Facebook Watch is completely free for all Facebook users. You do not need a paid subscription to access Facebook Watch. It is included with your free Facebook account.
What devices support Facebook Watch?
You can use Facebook Watch on:
- Desktop computers through facebook.com
- iOS devices using the Facebook app for iPhone/iPad
- Android phones and tablets via the Facebook app
- Smart TVs with the Facebook app like LG, Samsung and Android TV
- TV streaming devices including Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and Portal TV
Can I save videos to watch later?
Yes, Facebook Watch has a “Watchlist” feature that lets you save videos to a playlist to watch later. Just click the Watchlist icon below a video to add it.
How is Facebook Watch different from YouTube?
Facebook Watch and YouTube have some similarities, but key differences include:
- YouTube focuses more on user-submitted videos while Facebook Watch features professionally produced content.
- Facebook Watch requires a Facebook account while YouTube does not.
- YouTube has more creators overall while Watch showcases popular Facebook creators.
- Watch content is integrated with Facebook features like commenting, liking and sharing.
Does Facebook Watch have ads?
Most videos on Facebook Watch do contain ads – usually short video ads that play before the content. This is how Facebook monetizes Watch and pays content creators.
However, Facebook Watch originals and some creator content may not always have ads. You can also get an ad-free experience with subscriptions coming soon.
Can I share my Facebook Watch videos?
Yes, any video that you watch on Facebook Watch can be shared to your own Facebook page or profile as a post or story. This lets you recommend videos to your friends and followers.
Simply use the Share button below a video to share it. You can add a caption and customize the audience as normal before posting.
Comparision of Facebook Watch to YouTube and Netflix
Here is a comparison table of key features between Facebook Watch, YouTube and Netflix:
| Facebook Watch | YouTube | Netflix | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Free option available | Paid subscription required |
| Account needed? | Facebook account | No account required | Netflix account |
| Content | Original shows & creator videos | User, creator & some professional videos | Licensed movies & TV shows |
| Ads | Most videos have ads | Ads on most videos | No ads |
| Devices | Desktop, mobile, TV | Desktop, mobile, TV | Desktop, mobile, TV |
| Stream quality | SD, HD & 4K | Up to 4K | Up to 4K HD |
In summary, Facebook Watch is designed for casual video viewing and discovering new content while requiring only a Facebook account. YouTube offers a wider range of user-generated content. Netflix focuses on binge-watching TV shows and movies.
The Growth of Facebook Watch
Since Facebook Watch first launched in 2017, it has seen steady growth in viewership and content. Here are some key stats on the rise of Facebook Watch:
- In 2018, Facebook Watch reached 400+ million monthly users.
- By 2019, over 720 million people were using Watch monthly.
- Watch users view over 140 million hours of video daily as of 2020.
- Over 3.5 billion daily views on Watch videos in 2021.
- There are now over 1,250 media companies and creators partnered with Watch.
- Watch features over 800 original shows in genres like drama, reality and talk shows.
This growth has been driven by Facebook promoting Watch features, funding more original content and deals with content partners like CNN, Fox Sports and MTV.
Facebook has made Watch its main video initiative as it competes with other services like YouTube and Netflix. The integration with Facebook’s existing user base and social features gives the platform a strong starting point.
But it still faces challenges in getting users to switch from established platforms, and competing for advertising revenue against YouTube’s dominance. The future success of Facebook Watch will depend on investment in exclusive content and improving the recommendation algorithms.
But with continued growth and development, Facebook Watch stands to become a top destination for video in the social media age due to the inherent power of Facebook’s network.
Conclusion
Facebook Watch offers a new way to consume video content within the world’s largest social network. For casual viewing, discovering new creators and interacting with others through video, Watch provides a free and convenient option.
As Facebook continues enhancing the Watch experience while driving more exclusive content, it has the potential to disrupt the video landscape. This guide covers the basics of accessing Watch and taking advantage of Facebook’s video hub to enjoy shows, live streams and more.
So visit Facebook Watch today on desktop, mobile or TV apps to start watching. With Facebook’s resources and user base behind it, Watch aims to be the future of social video.