IBC 2011 — Netgem is working to enable automatic synchronization of viewers' tablets, smartphones and other companion devices with the TV show being viewed on the living room set, in an effort to pave the way for better social TV integration.
Operators and OTT broadcasters alike are all trying to crack the nut of how best to leverage the inherent, TV-friendly aspects of smart devices, tablets in particular. But taking take the premise of multiscreen a step beyond simply using a tablet or phone as a TV guide and content discovery device, or for streaming live television, is where the future lies. A tighter integration of tablet-specific interactive social TV features – particularly if they’re linked to live, linear programming – can offer a new frontier in making traditional television more relevant and more attractive in an era of place- and time-shifted programming, where OTT hoards await at the gate.
Netgem has integrated social TV specialist Miso's software with its nCloud multimedia server middleware for operators, so that when watching a TV show, the viewer can see who amongst his or her friends are watching the same show, read comments posted from an iPhone, iPad or from the Web, let the community know what he is watching and switch to another TV program recommended by a friend.
“We are striving to find innovative new ways to provide consumers with the highest level of user experience," said Yann Courqueux, CMO at Netgem. "We believe that the combination of the TV with companion devices is set to redefine what can be done with social media and our work with Miso makes us confident that social TV will soon become a must-have application."
Miso recently signed a deal with DirecTV to launch a social TV app for iPhone that synchronizes with TV viewing and enabled real-time social features that change based on what a viewer is watching. The app shows viewers what's on TV and, as they switch the channel, it automatically changes with it, whether it's live, on-demand or time-shifted. Users can then make use of a one-step "tap and share" function as they watch.
"The...social TV app adds another dimension to the viewing experience and supports DirecTV's strategy to assist customers in discovering television shows, sports and movies through their friends and social connections," said DirecTV CTO Romulo Pontual.
