Snapchat wants to expand its original content offerings

Are self-destructing series the next frontier in original online content? Fast-growing social network Snapchat is taking another step in establishing itself as an original content player with the hire of former Fox SVP comedy Marcus Wiley as Head of Program Planning and Development. Wiley’s efforts are expected to be focused on amping up original content offered by Snap Channel, primarily short-form narrative script/musical series — some of them experimental. The content will be geared toward Snapchat’s young audience. The video messaging application, only available on smart phones, is especially popular with the 13-34 crowd who watch some 2 billion Snapchat videos a day, according to the company. Originally launched in 2011, Snapchat, which boasts 100 million active monthly users, allows the sending of “snaps” — photos and videos with added text and drawings — which get automatically deleted shortly after recipients view them.