Looking for more myths to bust or sharks to find? Discovery Communications is hoping viewers will turn to the deep blue sea of Snapchat.
Today, the entertainment company announced an agreement with Snap Inc. to create short-form vertical video shows exclusively for Snapchat. In the next few months, Discovery said, the two companies will collaborate on a new “mobile-first” series and exclusive content based on hit programming like Shark Week and MythBusters.
In addition to creating the shows, Discovery and Snap will work with advertisers on sponsorships for the content.
“Discovery are world-class storytellers who have turned unlikely subjects into cultural phenomena,” Nick Bell, Snap’s vp of content, said in a statement. “We have seen what they can do when developing and producing creative concepts for TV and we’re excited to see what’s in store as they apply their talent and expertise to this new medium.”
For the past few months, Snap has been working with networks to create original content, including an August deal with NBCUniversal to bring Snapchat-only content from shows like The Voice and Saturday Night Live.
Snap isn’t the only platform bringing a television-style approach to the future of video. In December, Facebook said it was in talks with TV studios and video producers to license shows, with possibilities including scripted shows, game shows and sports. (Facebook’s initiative is being headed by CollegeHumor co-founder Ricky Van Veen, who joined the social network in June as head of global creative strategy.)
