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Fusion is the latest media company to experiment with Facebook’s new Live platform.
The cable network will begin broadcasting The Chris Gethard Show live on Facebook every Thursday.
The interactive talk show has always streamed live online in addition to airing a shortened version on Fusion, but the move to Facebook signals growing interest in the social network’s live streaming product.
To bring a broadcast-quality live stream to Facebook, The Chris Gethard Show has teamed with video technology provider Telescope, which has created a new product called Live Studio built for the Facebook Live platform that allows for multiple camera angles during a live broadcast.
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The Chris Gethard Show will continue to connect with fans during its live broadcast via a chatroom and Skype call-ins, but it will now also use Live Studio technology to integrate fan comments in real time and feature dynamic polls with audience feedback. These interactive experiences will also factor into the TV broadcast of the show each Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET/PT.
“We’re so happy to take interactivity in our live shows to the next level,” said Gethard. “We’re always happy to take chances and push things further into the 21st century, and this technology gives us another chance to connect one-on-one with the fans who make our show great.”
Added Telescope CEO Jason George: “We designed Live Studio with content creators like this in mind, and we’re excited to be the launch partner for The Chris Gethard Show on Facebook Live. ‘Tuning in’ will never be the same again.”
Facebook opened Live up to all users earlier this year but has been encouraging media companies and celebrities to use the broadcasting tool. On Tuesday, CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that he was opening up the Facebook Live platform to developers who wanted to integrate live streaming onto their platforms.
The first Facebook Live broadcast of The Chris Gethard Show will begin Thursday, April 12, at 8 p.m. ET and will feature guest Lena Dunham in a prom-themed episode.
The show is produced by Funny or Die in conjunction with Fusion. Zack Galifianakis, Will Ferrell, Adam McKay, Owen Burke, Gethard, JD Amato, Brian Stern and Anna Wenger serve as executive producers.
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