According to The Verge (who mentioned Reuters airs source), Airbnb is set to get into the Television scene and is currently looking into building its very own original video studio.
The hotel and rental platform which operates a global online marketplace and hospitality service, reached the decision to create its own TV studio, so as to produce short films, documentaries, and shows which it can use to promote travel and, by extension, its brand.
As far fetched as it sounds, the idea is not exactly new to Airbnb. Reutersclaims that the company has, for a few years now, been looking into either partnering with existing production studios and entertainment companies or building out an internal studio of its own to produce shows and video content for the sole purpose of promoting Airbnb guests and hosts, travel locales, and also further portray its image as a travel lifestyle brand.
Considering the number of travel and home decor-specific magazines, websites, and video channels both online and on cable, there appears to be no better time than now for Airbnb to get into the production space.
Airbnb is reportedly already heavily engaged in the effort, which is said to be driven by its CEO Brian Chesky.
The company (Airbnb) has reportedly worked on a TV show called Homefor Apple’s new TV Plus subscription service.
The show will focus on uncovering unique living spaces around the world, as well as individuals who live in them.
Airbnb also helped produce a documentary, called Gay Chorus Deep South which focused on a tour of the Southeastern US, that will premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival later this month.
The leading policy and communications executive at Airbnb, Chris Lehane told Reuters; “We are very much in the R&D phase here”.
He added that “It is not just limited to video. It could be audible. It could be physical. The more we put content out there, the more you’re going to bring people to the platform.”
Airbnb first began fashioning a new image for itself a few years ago. That new image has grown to include the traditional hotel industry and more than just accommodations.
2016 saw the company launch its Trips Initiative aimed at allowing freelancers and Airbnb hosts provide experiences, such as tour guides and cooking lessons, that could be used to fill out an itinerary for a vacation or trip away from home.
In 2018, it launched its Plus tier, which is a more expensive and curated form of booking designed to act more like a traditional hotel.
In the same way Netflix started out as a distribution channel for entertainment and then transitioned into a hybrid player within Hollywood, Airbnb which is valued at more than $30 billion (303.5 billion Kenyan Shillings) and poised to go public either this year or next, is very much following the playbook of its competitors, like Expedia and large hotel chains, by offering similar services and positioning itself as a trusted alternative to standard rental and hotel platforms.
