*By Conor White*
Now that Portugal has been eliminated from the FIFA World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo needs a new job, and Facebook could be stepping in.
The company is reportedly in talks with the soccer superstar for a 13-episode reality show on its 'Watch' platform, but not everyone thinks it will work.
"It's amazing to me that Facebook is willing to drop so much money on original programming," said Taylor Lorenz, staff writer at The Atlantic. "I think they're spending like $10 million reportedly on this. I don't think it'll bring people in."
In an interview Friday on Cheddar, Lorenz noted that even if this series happens, Facebook needs to reassess its approach to 'Watch'.
"To me, they're still trying to force this behavior of going there and treating it as a TV experience down users' throats."
With over 120 million fans on the platform, Ronaldo is the single most followed athlete on Facebook, so it's safe to assume a show starring him would at least attract international viewers, but they may not have the capability to properly watch it.
"One of the problems with international markets is they don't have the data streaming speed to watch these long shows," explained Lorenz. "Even my phone on my New York City WiFi can be buffering sometimes, I can't get through the whole show. So I think as they move into long form content, they really need to focus on the usability of it and making it work."
For the full segment, [click here.](https://cheddar.com/videos/welcome-to-local-twitter)
Mutaz Barshim of Qatar and Gianmarco Tamberi of Italy tied for the gold medal in the men’s high jump at the Tokyo Games.
Cheddar's Michelle Castillo takes a deep dive into the world of Formula E racing. The all-electric motor sport is looking forward to a more sustainable future on and off the track.
Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz’s arduous buildup to the Tokyo Olympics culminated on the top step of the podium. Diaz won the first Olympic gold medal for the Philippines in a triumphant result for a country that has competed at every Summer Olympics except one since 1924.
Jacoby pulled off a stunning upset in the 100-meter breaststroke, beating defending champion Lilly King. Jacoby already was the first swimmer from Alaska to make the U.S. Olympic team. Now, she's got a gold.
The Russian Olympic Committee has won the gold medal in women’s gymnastics after U.S. star Simone Biles exited with a medical issue.
Vaccine Mandates, Osaka Out & LeVar Burton Takes Jeopardy!
After a year of delays, the Tokyo Olympics is finally here.
But the growth in streaming is expected to lower broadcast viewership numbers. Still, advertisers and sponsors haven't pulled out of the popular live sporting event.
U.S. pop singer Pink has offered to pay a fine given to the Norwegian female beach handball team for wearing shorts instead of the required bikini bottoms.
The German women’s gymnastics team took the floor for their first competition at the Tokyo Olympics wearing unitards with leggings that stretched down to the ankle. That defied the custom of high-cut bikini bottoms in the sport.
Team USA's Uneven Start, Optimism Plummets & 'Old' Stuns Box Office
Load More