By Linda Yaccarino / X
After conquering space, Elon Musk is now taking on video. His X social network is set to get a TV application. It will feature videos from X and programs presented by controversial journalists such as Tucker Carlson.
After conquering space, Elon Musk is now taking on video. His X social network is set to get a TV application. It will feature videos from X and programs presented by controversial journalists such as Tucker Carlson.
Launching your own TV platform or app seems to be something of a craze in certain circles. So it comes as no surprise that billionaire Elon Musk has also decided to get in on the game, announcing the launch of a forthcoming "X TV App."
Linda Yaccarino, the social network's new CEO and former NBCUniversal executive, revealed details of the app on her X/Twitter account.
Specially designed for smart TVs, the app promises an algorithm highlighting the most viral videos of the moment, as well as the ability to organize videos by subject thanks to artificial intelligence. Users of the X social network, formerly Twitter, will also be able to start watching content on their phone and finish it on their TV. Like the social network, the "X TV App" is designed to help internet users stay on top of the latest news and conversations: "From the small screen to the big screen, X is changing everything. Soon we’ll bring real-time, engaging content to your smart TVs with the X TV App. This will be your go-to companion for a high-quality, immersive entertainment experience on a larger screen," wrote Linda Yaccarino.
Still in development, the platform has no official launch date. According to a company note, seen by The Hollywood Reporter, the app is expected to be ad-free, but this could change over time: "We’re focusing on launching this new feature for consumers first, but we do plan to monetize it, and will discuss different forms of partnerships -- and that may include ads," the note explains.
However, a glimpse of the platform has been unveiled through a short video presentation. A closer look reveals the controversial interview with Vladimir Putin by former Fox News journalist, Tucker Carlson. The encounter created controversy on the X social network. Since his ousting from Fox News, Carlson, accused of spreading conspiracy theories, has launched his own show, which is broadcast on Elon Musk's social network. Musk, in turn, is planning to launch his own streaming video app. The application could also feature programs by former CNN journalist, Don Lemon, and politician, Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democrat turned independent.
It's a trend that's clearly present among some of the most widely criticized personalities on the American media scene, such as Donald Trump. At the beginning of April 2024, the former US President announced the launch of his own streaming platform.
