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Facebook users in America, Europe, Australia, Canada and New Zealand will soon be able to use Facebook credits to purchase episodes of the massively popular automotive show Top Gear for streaming through the social network, it has been revealed.
BBC Worldwide has developed a video-on-demand streaming app for Facebook, allowing users to view the episodes within the site for 15 Facebook credits per view, or 93p ($1.54.) In order to access the content, viewers need to “Like” the show’s Facebook page, where they can then spend the Facebook credits or cash to watch episodes of Top Gear. Rentals will be active for 48 hours before they expire.
To distribute the content, BBC Worldwide has teamed up with London-based social media firm Softwind Studios. CEO and founder of Softwind, Francis Rodino, said:
“Softwind Studio is one of the first studios to develop on the Facebook credits platform, opening up new revenue streams for brands by providing new ways of monetizing video content while driving traffic, fan acquisition and brand awareness through content sharing. We are very excited to be working with the Top Gear brand which has such a loyal and enthusiastic following, fully utilizing the power and revenue opportunities of the social web to return investment on social media.”
Top Gear‘s managing director Adam Waddell commented on harnessing the show’s massive fan base on the social network:
“Top Gear has amassed a huge following on Facebook with almost 14 million friends following the brand itself and the Stig… We’re always looking at ways of adding value for the core fans of the show so it’s entirely appropriate that we should be one of the first TV shows to make its premium content available via Facebook.”
Three episodes of Top Gear will initially be available to Facebook viewers- the Polar Special, US Road Trip and Vietnam Road Trip. The announcement follows a similar initiative announced earlier this week by Miramax involving Facebook streaming.
