Authenticity and immediacy: Why USA Today’s FTW uses Facebook live video

It’s early days so comparisons are hard to come by, but other publishers that have done live video include Fusion, which had 7,000 live viewers and nearly 3.6 million views in a week. Facebook live video tends to get more comments and higher engagement than regular Facebook videos, according to data from Newswhip.

FTW, which never attempted to live stream with Meerkat or Periscope, has experimented with Facebook’s live streaming because the format “rivals the immediacy of television,” said Hemal Jhaveri, senior social media editor at USA Today. “It makes a lot of sense for sports because athletes always seem to be so inaccessible to fans, and this makes them feel less so. There’s something special about getting that unfiltered, authentic look at these stars.”

Jhaveri said that the NBA All-Star Weekend was a success overall. FTW is planning similar efforts around MLB spring training and the NFL’s Scouting Combine this month. Its next streams, though, will put a stronger focus on quality, which will improve how long viewers stick around, said Jhaveri.

Since Facebook opened up access to the streaming feature in January, publishers have been trying a variety of ways to use the tool. Fusion, for example, used it to stream live coverage of the Iowa caucuses, while Vox.com’s Ezra Klein has used it to broadcast commentary about the election overall.

The existence of Twitter’s Periscope and Meerkat means that publishers have no shortage of live video platforms to try out. But publishers say that they’re attracted to Facebook’s version because they already have an audience there. Facebook also notifies followers when a page is live streaming, which has helped publishers attract more viewers than they would get otherwise.

“Our Facebook audience is more connected and more interested overall than our Twitter audience is. The posts tend to do better [on Facebook],” said Jhaveri. Another benefit: Facebook automatically archives its live videos, so users can easily catch up on streams that they missed. Facebook also shared FTW’s streams from its main sports account, which also increased engagement.

Facebook doesn’t have it all figured out, however. One of Facebook live video’s biggest limitations is its lack of comprehensive viewing analytics. The only way to know how many viewers a stream gets at one time is to keep an eye on the stream itself.

Jamie Mottram, director of content development at USA Today, said that that’s an issue, but a small one compared to the benefits of Facebook live video overall. “We’re confident that we’re reaching an engaged audience there,” he said.