Former ‘Idol’ exec invests millions in new social TV app Viggle. The man who launched American Idol is getting into the social TV business. Robert Sillerman announced today that his new company, Function(x) will soon debut a TV loyalty app called Viggle. By checking into various TV shows — the app will come with audio recognition software — viewers can earn points that can redeemed for rewards from companies such as Burger King, Sephora, Fandango and the Hulu Plus service. The company says the app (which is launching soon) will highlight shows with “check-in bonuses.” You can set reminders and “like” shows, and Viggle will curate Twitter conversations for each TV show (100 channels will be included at launch, with more on the way).
Partners can serve up companion content such as real-time polls and quizzes. Users can connect with Facebook and Twitter, allowing them to share their conversations outside the Viggle universe. Function(x) says its working with several networks and production companies to create second-screen experiences on Viggle. 50 Apps That Socialize Your TV | The Seevibes Blog. 21 Nov. 2011 In 2010, MIT’s Technology Review listed Social TV as one of the 10 most important emerging technologies.
It isn’t surprising to see new companies being formed with the intention to tap a vein of gold in this new market. Mobile applications are the most popular offerings: check-ins, interactive TV guides, universal remotes, platforms for real-time conversations on Facebook, Twitter, chat … everything is being tried to create the ideal companion for TV viewers.
Last February, we surveyed the Social TV applications on the market at that time. Of the 25 we counted, some fizzled, others have since been relaunched or have changed their names. The following 50 Social TV applications are grouped into six categories. Automated or manual Check-in/ Tune-in apps (12) GetGlue GetGlue is a leading social network for entertainment. Intonow Miso MyTvBuddy Rate the artists performances and then follow and compare the official ranking with the MyTVBuddy fan ratings. Philo TV Screentribe Tapcast.tv. The new way to watch television. A sneak peek at USA Network’s Anywhere iPad app. Companion TV app Umami to hit app store Tuesday. Update: You can now download the Umami app for iPad here. Social TV startup Umami raised $1.66 million in August to launch a TV app for linear programming that would be cheaper than a network creating their own app, leveraging a “publishing platform.”
The app will be available for iPad tomorrow and is launching with a network partner, the National Geographic Channel for the channel’s “Expedition Week” and “Knights of Mayhem” show this week. What is Umami and how does it work? Co-founder and CEO Scott Rosenberg explained Umami’s key offerings. Umami’s play at getting Networks hooked: “As we’ve discussed, Umami is not just a consumer app, but also a publishing platform that brings simplicity and scale to the creation of synchronous companion TV experiences for TV networks and content partners.
Rosenberg (who’s been at Rovi, TV Guide, ReplayTV) and Bryan Slavin (who’s been at LightningCast, Leap Wireless) clearly proved that their experience matters by launching with a network. Yahoo!’ FanTalkTV - Discuss television shows and events live with your friends and other fans. Social TV Apps - The Future of Multiplatform Television, Transmedia, Social TV, Smart TV and Connected TV. 5 Social TV Apps That Let You Check In To What You’re Watching [Updated] These days everything is getting more social. People tweet before taking a shower, post pictures of their lunch to Facebook and share everything from their hopes and aspirations to the gross thing they saw someone do on the bus ride to work. So it only makes sense that more and more people are interesting in sharing what they’re watching on television, and lucky for these people there are a lot of ways to do it.
Here’s our list of 5 great social television apps that let you check in to what you’re watching, share recommendations with friends and discover new content. IntoNow IntoNow is new on the social TV scene, but they have introduced a feature that pushes them straight to the top of our list – a patented sound-recognition technology called SoundPrint that hears and recognizes what you’re watching, right down to the episode. Tunerfish Tunerfish is another social television app that we’ve been following since their launch back in May. Miso Yap.TV Philo GetGlue.