Over the last few months we have been discussing social and TV together much more regularly with our clients and the industry at large. We believe that the opportunities presented by capitalising on TVs large reach and consumers desire to connect and interact make this the most fascinating area of media development currently taking place.
Our pick of the new services last year was Zeebox, which has now sold a 10% stake in the company, worth a reported $15m to BskyB, with plans to integrate the Zeebox technology into its own range of mobile apps including Sky+ and Sky Go.
US social TV startup GetGlue has just announced a $12m in new financing from new and existing investors. The service, which runs across both apps and website enable users to ‘check in’ to TV shows and other entertainment, while chatting to other people and getting recommendations.
Before this funding round GetGlue was growing strongly with over 2 million users, generating 100m check-ins during 2011.
Other technology companies have been quick to get in on the act. Yahoo acquired social TV startup IntoNow in April 2011, while another US startup – Miso – raised $4m of new funding in November 2011.
Mobile music service Shazam also diversified beyond its core features into TV in the US last year, while an increasing number of broadcasters are launching their own apps for channels or individual shows that include features optimised to provide a deeper experience while watching the shows.
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