Facebook Launches 'Watch' for Original Shows | Crunch Report

TL;DR

Facebook introduces Watch tab to challenge YouTube for original video content, while Coinbase raises $100 million to improve their service and scaling, and 500 Startups cancels its Australia expansion following a sexual harassment scandal.

Transcript

Facebook launches watch for its original shows coinbase raises $100,000,000 series be 500 startups australia falls apart and more it's Thursday August 10 and this is crunch report what up TechCrunch land before we get started let me clarify something yesterday I reported that Intel's manufacturing cars for its own use and some of you literally thou... Read More

Key Insights

• 🫵 Facebook's Watch tab is a strategic move to capture more viewers and advertising revenue from traditional television.
• 🤨 The $100 million raised by Coinbase in series D funding will help the digital currency startup improve its service and handle increased demand.
• 👤 Microsoft's Surface laptops received negative feedback from users, with a significant percentage reporting breakage within two years of use.
• 🌱 The cancellation of 500 Startups' accelerator program in Melbourne, Australia highlights the impact of the sexual harassment scandal on their expansion plans.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does Facebook's Watch tab challenge traditional television?

Facebook's Watch tab could potentially attract more viewers and ad revenue from traditional television, as it offers a platform for original video content created exclusively for Facebook partners.

Q: How will Coinbase use the $100 million in funding?

Coinbase plans to use the funding to reduce downtime on its service and scale its customer support and engineering teams, which will help improve their overall offering in the digital currency market.

Q: Why did Consumer Reports drop its recommendation of Microsoft Surface laptops?

According to a survey conducted by Consumer Reports, a significant number of Microsoft Surface owners reported breakage within two years of use, leading to the decision to revoke their recommendation.

Q: Why did 500 Startups cancel their accelerator program in Melbourne, Australia?

Following the sexual harassment scandal involving founder Dave McClure and pressure from launch Vic, an initiative backed by the government of Victoria, 500 Startups decided to cancel their Australia expansion plans. Rachael Newman's resignation also contributed to the cancellation.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Facebook has created a new platform called Watch for original video content, offering a challenge to YouTube and traditional television.

• Coinbase, a digital currency startup, has raised $100 million in series D funding, which will be used for improving service and scaling customer support.

• 500 Startups' accelerator program in Melbourne, Australia has been cancelled due to the sexual harassment scandal involving the founder, despite efforts to clean up its culture.