MUMBAI: Viacom Digital Studios International has partnered with Facebook to create a series of short- and mid-form digital video series for the social media giant’s Watch platform. Under the new deal, Viacom’s digital content studio will shows in the UK, Germany, Spain, France, Asia and the Americas.

“The point I’d let you know that’s really exciting is that it’s a multi-territory, worldwide partnership with Facebook,” Viacom Digital Studios International senior VP and general manager Brendan Yam said. “We can create original, locally relevant programming."

While Viacom Digital Studios International will also make eight shows in Asia based on a partnership with MTV Asia, four of the series will premiere later this year and the remaining four will be developed next year.

The unit will create four shows in the Americas including stand-up comedy series Portugal Realengo, featuring vlogger Rafael Portugal and it will make spin-offs of MTV UK shows for Watch in Europe while the UK shows will be localised for Germany, Spain and France.

“By partnering with Facebook, we are harnessing the power of our globally-recognised brands and IP and leveraging local talent and production capabilities to drive engagement with digital-first audiences around the globe,” Yam added.