TCA: A Snappy Snapchat Tutorial

Pasadena, CA -- In yet another example of how perceptions of television, video content and entertainment programming are changing every day, Snapchat on Monday appeared for the first time at a Television Critics Association tour.  They were here to educate (a surprising number of) critics as to what Snapchat is and how it is used, provide data on the depth and breadth of its usage and make clear that it, too, deserves the attention of critics and reporters who cover programming.

It was strictly an executive session (though that may change at future TCA tours, given the enthusiastic response Snap received here and its ambitious plans to begin producing scripted programming).  Vice President of Content Nick Bell (pictured at left above and below) and Head of Original Content Sean Mills (right) were on stage throughout. 

“We’re excited to be here and, actually, pretty humbled to be here, as well,” Bell said by way of introduction.  “This is probably a little different to some of the stuff you’ve sort of seen previously over the last few days.”  Only a few hands went up when he asked how many journalists in the room had used Snapchat within the last week.

Then the lesson began.  “Snapchat is really broken down into three screens,” Bell began.  “We open at the camera, and that’s really about providing self-expression to our audience.  On the left-hand side of the camera is the Friend screen, where people chat with their friends.  That’s what really drives the frequency and brings people back into the app on an ongoing basis.  On the right-hand side is our Discover page where content lives.

Ed Martin

Ed Martin is the chief television and content critic for MediaVillage.  He has written about television and internet programming for several Myers publications since 2000, including The Myers Report, The Myers Programming Report, MediaBizBloggers a… read more