Snapchat gets exclusive video content in the form of Snap Originals

In an effort to keep ahead of its increasing competition, Snap has announced its expansion into original video content. Snap Originals will see a host of short-form scripted shows and documentaries launched on Snapchat, with some made in partnership with Hollywood production companies.

Over the past few years, Facebook and Instagram have incorporated social features to rival that of Snapchat, forcing Snap’s shares down a total of 52 percent by the start of 2018. While Snap has since announced a partnership with Amazon to improve its current services with Visual Search shopping, the company must expand beyond its social confines in order to survive.

In a more Netflix-like fashion, the show has commissioned 12 exclusive scripted shows and docuseries made in partnership with publishers such as Bunim/Murray Productions and Brad Weston's Makeready. Three shows will debut today, while the remaining line-up will be scheduled to land throughout the remainder of the year.

“Class of Lies revolves around a couple of roommates and true crime podcast hosts as they try to solve their best friend’s disappearance,” reports Engadget. “Meanwhile, Co-Ed is an LGBTQ-inclusive show about a group of freshman students navigating their way through college. Finally, Endless Summer follows the lives of influencers Summer McKeen and Dylan Jordan.”

Supernatural dark comedy The Dead Girls Detective Agency, horror-based anthology V/H/S and docuseries Vivian will be the next to launch. Each show will span around 5 minutes screen time, with a daily release schedule, unlike Netflix’s weekly or full launch format and potentially include the use of augmented reality.

Snap has acknowledged that it has to be mindful of how these shows will be included within the notably rushed application, given the harsh feedback it received for its last redesign. Each show will receive a dedicated profile page in order to reduce clutter.

Although the firm has its work cut out for it, Snap Originals is another major step towards turning a profit by the end of the year. Whether or not it is a success, however, remains to be seen.

KitGuru Says: It intrigues me to see what kind of storytelling Snap plans to showcase in such a short runtime. Do you think you will be giving Snap Originals a go? What content do you want to see?

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