Facing tough competition from Instagram and Facebook, which have been launching new spectacular features after another, Snapchat has begun some major overhauls of its own. Snap Inc., its creator, has struck a deal with the Walt Disney Company on the production of shows for the mobile app.
This means you will soon be able to watch Disney-produced programs on Snapchat via its Discover section, where shows will run for three to five minutes, USA Today reports. The first show is "Watch Party: The Bachelor," which will premiere on January 3 and star Nick Viall of "The Bachelor" on television.
According to Refinery 29, every episode of "The Bachelor" on Snapchat will be available for 24 hours and will feature celebrities and comedians, as well as past contestants of the dating shows "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette." More shows have been lined up but have yet to be announced.
Snapchat's latest agreement with Disney aims to target young viewers, who are increasingly leaving traditional media like television for their entertainment, Reuters reports. Under the deal, Disney will take charge of advertising for all the programs it produces. DDisney-ABC Television executive John Frelinghuysen said the company looks forward to giving Snapchat's mobile users an "immersive experience" around its shows and brands.
Earlier, Snapchat signed deals for advertising and content with major media companies like Turner Broadcasting, NBC Universal, and Viacom. Snapchat also has original programs such as a talk show from E! Entertainment and excerpts from "The Tonight Show."
From simply being an app where people can send photos that disappear within seconds, Snapchat has slowly transformed itself into an entertainment platform that caters primarily to young audiences. Meanwhile, its competitors are also upping the game: Instagram has, for instance, unveiled Snapchat-like features, such as its Stories section.
Snapchat's latest moves come ahead of its planned initial public offering or IPO in 2017, which is expected to generate as much as $25 billion for the company. How do you find Snapchat's move? Do you support it? Do you enjoy its services? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
