Image messaging and multimedia mobile application, Snapchat is looking forward to having its own original scripted shows by the end of this year. Today at the Edinburgh International Television Festival, Nick Bell, head of content at Snapchat mentioned that scripted programming is an “interesting next venture” for the company.
However, plans of Snapchat seem vague and focusing on scripted shows feels like an inevitable decision. Till today, the company is depending on networks with built-in audiences to create Snapchat-ready versions of already-popular TV shows. Scripted, original content could help the company to legitimize its entertainment goals while giving it more control over the content to its users. But original content is risky and expensive, especially as Snapchat continues to suffer from slow growth and fluctuation in users. The service actually launched its first scripted series back in 2015 and it was named as Literally Can’t Even and it was widely criticized by the viewers.
Apart from this, Snapchat complemented linear television, rather than competing with them.