Snapchat to feature original scripted shows by end of year

Snapchat has decided to launch original scripted shows by the end of the year.

Snapchat's head of content Nick Bell clarified an audience at the Edinburgh International Television Festival that the content doesn’t seeks to be an alternative to television rather enhance viewing.

"Mobile is the most complementary thing to TV that has been around," Bell said, according to Variety. "We're really capturing the audience who are not probably consuming TV at the same rate and pace of engagement that they once were."

Bell also told his listeners that, like the rest of Snapchat content, long-form isn't the answer. According to Variety, the content head still believes that the ideal length for a Snapchat show is three to five minutes.

The company is apparently relying on partners to finance scripted shows, which tend to be more expensive than news or documentary-style "reality" shows. We've reached out to Snapchat for comment and will update this post when we hear back.

The social media application is not the first company which will be venturing into the original scripted shows as Facebook too has launched a tab for original shows.

Facebook has collaborated with different content producing companies for this purpose. The Tab seeks to personalise people’s watch interest and comprises 10 to 15 minutes video clips, which users will be able to watch soon.

Moreover, Apple is also venturing into producing its own original television shows, which are expected to be launched at the end of the year.