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Facebook pays celebs to live stream: Is it worth $50 million? (The 3:59, Ep. 66)

We discuss Facebook obsessing over live video, Playstation Vue making it easier to cut the cord, and Amazon Video catching up with Netflix.

Headshot of Joan E. Solsman
Headshot of Joan E. Solsman
Joan E. Solsman Former Senior Reporter
Joan E. Solsman was CNET's senior media reporter, covering the intersection of entertainment and technology. She's reported from locations spanning from Disneyland to Serbian refugee camps, and she previously wrote for Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal. She bikes to get almost everywhere and has been doored only once.
Expertise Streaming video, film, television and music; virtual, augmented and mixed reality; deep fakes and synthetic media; content moderation and misinformation online Credentials
  • Three Folio Eddie award wins: 2018 science & technology writing (Cartoon bunnies are hacking your brain), 2021 analysis (Deepfakes' election threat isn't what you'd think) and 2022 culture article (Apple's CODA Takes You Into an Inner World of Sign)
Headshot of David Katzmaier
Headshot of David Katzmaier
David Katzmaier Editor in Chief
David leads the editorial team at CNET. We create expert reviews, articles and video on every aspect of technology, from AI to Zoox. We are thoroughly, proudly human.
Expertise A 25-year CNET veteran, David has been reviewing TVs since the days of CRT, rear-projection and plasma. He created CNET's methodology for testing TVs, streaming services and AI tools. Prior to CNET he wrote for Sound & Vision magazine and eTown.com. Credentials
  • Although still awaiting his Oscar for Best Picture Reviewer, David does hold certifications from the Imaging Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Standards and Technology on display calibration and evaluation.
Joan E. Solsman
David Katzmaier
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Facebook is in love with live streaming, and it's paying celebrities and media companies $50 million to fall for the mania too.

The world's biggest social network reportedly signed deals with almost 140 people and publishers to broadcast video live to news feeds. Facebook has been enticing big names to join Facebook Live for months, but a Wall Street Journal report Wednesday put clear numbers on the campaign.

We also discuss video streaming of other stripes: Playstation widened its Vue online TV service to more devices -- like Roku and, soon, Android -- which gives consumers more options for cutting the cord. And Amazon's video service has surged in usage, leaping to No.3 by traffic behind Netflix and YouTube.

The 3:59 gives you bite-size news and analysis about the top stories of the day, brought to you by CNET Executive Editor Roger Cheng, Senior Writer Ben Fox Rubin and Producer Bryan VanGelder.

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