Facebook Watch Ends As Meta Strives Forward
Facebook is looking like the middle child between Meta and virtual reality (VR). The website is pulling away from originals
Victoria Liotta
Facebook is looking like the middle child between Meta and virtual reality (VR). The website is pulling away from originals so the Mark Zuckerberg-run company can focus on and fund creating VR experiences in Meta Horizon Worlds. And, it’s not just them. Facebook is following in the footsteps of Google, whose YouTube division ended their watch program to refocus on user-generated content. This significant change for Facebook also involved layoffs that have seen more than 20,000 employees leave, one being Mina Lefevre.
You’re Probably Wondering Who Mina Lefevre Is
Lefevre launched major Facebook Watch unscripted hits including Red Table Talk, Steve on Watch with Steve Harvey, a reboot of the MTV fan favorite show The Real World, The Bieber on Watch, and many more.
As for scripted, she developed Sorry For Your Loss, Sacred Lies, and its spinoff Sacred Lies: The Singing Bones.
Before Facebook, Lefevre was formally EVP and Head of Scripted at MTV. She was responsible for series such as Awkward, Faking It, and Finding Carter. Before that, she served as VP, Development & Programming at ABC Family, responsible for series including Pretty Little Liars, The Fosters, and Melissa & Joey.
Okay, This might sound biased but anyone who knows these shows can agree that this woman must be great and her job.
What Facebook Is Saying Goodbye To
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The buzzy series, Red Table Talk, was informally recognized as the anchor of the Facebook Watch platform. It lived out five seasons with hosts Jada Pinkett Smith, her daughter Willow Smith, and her mom, Adrienne Banfield-Norris. Unfortunately, however, it won’t return for a sixth as Facebook Watch comes to an end.
Pinkett-Smith had important and impactful conversations between herself, her family, celebrities, and other public figures. And, although Facebook won’t be hosting them any longer, it’s been reported that she and her husband Will Smith‘s production company, Westbrook Studios. will be in search of a new distributor for their show.
Along with the cancellation of Red Table Talk is the cancellation of Lefevre’s scripted and non-scripted list of shows.
And, What Meta Is Saying Hello To
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Going forward, Meta is leaning into the true VR experience. They have ideas for specials like
- The Notorious B.I.G. Sky’s The Limit: A VR Concert Experience in celebration of Biggie’s 50th Birthday
- The Shaq’tacular Spectacular, a New Year’s Eve Countdown Special hosted by Shaquille O’Neal with special guest performances from Cardi B and more
- Comedy specials with popular names like Pete Holmes and Nikki Glaser
- Eli Roth horror Halloween
- Valentine’s Day Specials
And, remember, these are just ideas at the moment.