Brazilian football giants sign Facebook Watch content deal

Social media company Facebook has enhanced its position in the football market by agreeing content deals with 11 of the leading football clubs in Brazil.

Under the deal, Campeonato Brasileiro Série A clubs Athletico Paranaense, Atlético Mineiro, Corinthians, Flamengo, Grêmio, Internacional, Palmeiras, Santos, São Paulo and Vasco, along with Cruzeiro, which were relegated to Série B last season, will offer exclusive content on Facebook Watch.

Facebook said that over 67 hours of content covering more than 800 videos will be produced. This will focus on unpublished video content such as behind-the-scenes access, club features and videos featuring legendary players. The videos will be made available on the clubs’ pages on Facebook.

Facebook has a significant football rights presence in Brazil and Latin America. This includes rights to the Copa Libertadores and Uefa Champions League continental club competitions. The social media giant has been weighing up whether to pursue an exclusive or non-exclusive rights model in the region.

Further afield, North America’s Major League Soccer last week announced an agreement with Facebook to bring highlights packages to Facebook Watch in 2020.