In January of 2018, Facebook (FB  ) and Twitter (TWTR  ) announced their decision to push into the media business by producing and/or licensing more entertainment content. The decision has entered the two companies into direct competition with media conglomerates like Disney (DIS  ). As a rival media company, Disney has decided to remove Sheryl Sandberg and Jack Dorsey - of Facebook and Twitter, respectively - from their boards, citing conflict of interest.

Conflicts of interest amongst tech and media giants are becoming increasingly common, given the evolving nature of their fields. Disney, too, is changing, and beginning to look more and more like a technology company. It has its own plans to weaken its dealings with Netflix (NFLX  ), in preparation to launch an independent movie streaming service in 2019, as well as an ESPN-branded sports service in early 2018.

Previous examples of Twitter's forays into media include its signed deal with the NFL for a half-hour long digital show to air five nights per week, in-season. Likewise, Facebook also live-streamed 15 college football games in 2017, after striking a deal with the digital sports broadcaster Stadium. Facebook also booked exclusive rights to livestream the pre-show for the 2018 Golden Globes, though last year this deal went to Twitter.

One benefit of having a digital media platform linked up to such events is the fact that they frequently leverage their platforms to optimize or innovate the user experience. For instance, when Twitter had streaming rights to the Golden Globes, they collected questions from tweeting fans in a collaboration with the Hollywood Foreign Press. Facebook also sourced fan questions this year as the live viewing experience took place.

As part of its push into the realm of content creation, Facebook publicized in August 2017 plans to launch a new "Watch" section, as an alternative to the standard News Feed. The Watch section will provide users with a "regularly scheduled, appointment viewing" service. The selection will range from mainstream shows to content generated by ordinary Facebook users. Facebook plans to expand its Watch program nationwide, by late 2018. Eventually, Facebook hopes to make Watch's selections broad enough so that it will become a virtual community where people can meet other fans while they catch up on their favorite shows. Facebook has also purchased several "big-budget reality and dating shows" that will make their debut alongside Watch.