Reading 2 Facebook Live vs tv

Is this the end of broadcasting as we know it?

In July this year, Mark Zuckerberg announced it would make video the forefront of Facebook; to make it “video first”. Since then we have seen the rise of Facebook Live, with many holiday-makers, DJ’s, debates and more ’going live’ from around the globe. What’s more, news has always been at the heart of Facebook’s strengths, and it has recently been announced that Facebook Live will be live-streaming the US Presidential debate. The live streaming of the Minnesota shootings received an audience of 5.7 million, rivalling that of major broadcasting channels.

But it’s this live broadcasting that has traditionally been television’s protection, it’s USP against the internet. People now have access to these videos and news updates wherever they are. So will these new videos take us away from our television screens and onto our mobiles, laptops and tablets?

The general consensus is no – television has no need to fear. Facebook Live can be used not as a competitor, but also to complement TV shows. Programs such as The Great British Bake Off are demonstrating this – the series itself has over 13 million viewers who tune in every week, but on top of this, fans can tune in live to GBBO parties on Facebook, creating an event-like, intimate experience. The 1:1 feel and ease of access of these videos is what makes them so great.

It seems that to turn Facebook Live into a success, we should view it as a platform for the masses to share an experience, such as an event or show, and leave everyday viewing to TV.

Exercise 1. Answer the questions:

1. Who is Mark Zuckerberg?

2. What purpose did he set in July?

3. Have you heard of Facebook Live before?

4. What is one of Facebook’s main advantages?

5. What do you know about the event called Minnesota shootings?

6. What does USP stand for?

7. Do you agree that now Facebook cannot compete with ordinary TV? Why?

8. What kind of program is The Great British Bake Off?

9. How do you understand the expression “the 1:1 feel”?

10. What are the prospects of Facebook or other social networking sites in Russia? Will they ever be able to replace TV?

Exercise 2. Mark the statements as T (True) or F (False)

1. In summer Mark Zuckerberg made a statement that the top priority for the company is Facebook Messenger and its promotion.

2. Breaking news coverage has always been very important for Facebook, and their treatment of news is very professional and timely.

3. The number of people who watched Minnesota shootings video on Facebook cannot be compared to the TV audience.

4. Not many people can reach the news from home because they don’t own mobiles and tablets.

5. Today Facebook is not a competitor, but rather a bonus to traditional television.

6. Fans of particular programs set up their Facebook groups to share comments and other content.

7. In the future masses will give up watching TV and turn to Facebook as a huge platform that provides access to all kinds of information.

Exercise 3. Choose the best word:

1. Our editor-in-chief declared that we should make reporting international news _____________ of the newspaper.

1. Pros and cons B) the forefront C) Achilles’ heel

2. Some people like to follow _____________ lifecasting going to glamorous resorts, staying at luxury hotels, and sharing other activities on Facebook, but I am more interested in my own life.

1. Holidaymakers B) Pranksters C) Hashtag activists

3. _____________ of major social, cultural or sportive events can reach global audiences almost immediately.

1. Memes B) Live streaming C) Tagging

4. Although many people use mobile internet, nothing can _____________ TV screens and cosy couches at the end of the working day.

1. Turn them from B) subscribe to C) grow legs of

5. After watching the pilot series of a new show, the _____________ was that it would be extremely popular.

1. Ugly underbelly B) heart strength C) general consensus

6. After this content became available in social media, about 1 million viewers started to _____________ every day.

1. Compliment B) tune in C) launch flash mobs

7. The new English textbook has a grammar appendix that _____________ its main content.

1. Rivals B) compliments C) shares