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February 11, 2015What I Learned About Social TV In 2014
Social TV is the HIVE MIND. It’s completely ALIEN to most broadcast media producers.
And everybody has a different idea about what it is.
Everybody Wants It But Nobody Understands It
Here’s my definition of Social TV – I’m going to keep it simple…
“Social TV is the place where Television and Social Media meet.
Successful Social TV activity produces a massive amount of social interactions, which result in increased viewing figures.
There are broadcaster led campaigns and there are audience led campaigns.”
The magic is in the chaos. The hive mind of the audience. Successful broadcaster or brand intervention can harness this power but you must tread softly as the audience are unpredictable…
15% of US viewers enjoy TV more when Social Media is involved.
Nielsen, 2014
The Audience Is Revolting
I get a kick out of this and you will know if you’ve ever had experience of marshalling an audience over multiple platforms – the audience often do the opposite of what you want them to do. They take their own path or just do something else instead. This can be unrestrained anarchy.
42% of second screeners have tried to sync mobile content to live TV and 13% say this sync content makes the overall experience ‘much more enjoyable’.
Consumer Electronics Association, 2014
The second screen is key; the laptop, smart phone and tablet. That’s where it all happens.
But Social TV isn’t about the technology even though there are many companies producing hardware and software to try and capitalise on this social activity.
The audience are already on their other screens whilst watching TV already. Getting their activity to focus on the TV is key.
8 in 10 UK TV viewers (78%) now perform other activities while viewing. The most popular being checking emails, browsing shopping websites and social networking.
British Telecom 2014
Social TV People
On a recent R&D mission to find out what UK TV companies were up to in this area I found a hidden layer of personnel in every broadcaster – Social Media Managers for Channel X, Y and Z.
I didn’t know these people existed but there are hundreds of them. Maybe you’re one of them Reader?
If so you will know about the rising social TV Stars, the magnetic quality of certain formats, the peaks and troughs of viewer interaction between live event and drama.
At Bellyfeel we have been researching and testing Social TV techniques and in the next couple of months we will be publishing some very valuable information and tips that you can use.
Check this Social TV Infographic.
