‘Social’ TV on the Rise
What's old is new again.
For many of us, television has become as much a fixture in our lives as the Internet. However, TV technology arguably hasn’t advanced as much as Internet technology, especially as far as interactivity is concerned. Interactive content guides and the ability to access content from services like Netflix and YouTube are one thing, but what efforts are being made to make TV a more seamless and personalized experience?
According to the results of a recent global study by mobile phone manufacturer Motorola Mobility, US viewers watched an average of 21 hours of TV per week this year, a 10.5% increase from a year ago. Germany, the UK and other Western European countries had similar increases. Nearly one in five Americans watched on-demand programming, compared to just one in 20 in 2010.
The same study also revealed surprising trends as far as viewers’ use of “social TV services”—media that somehow combines television and social networking—is concerned. For instance, nearly 90% of US viewers said that discussing programming on a social network like Facebook was their preferred method of using the Internet to augment their experience, though that’s often a pretty passive way of interacting with one’s fellow viewers.
That’s where companies like Youtoo may come in. It operates a TV channel that reaches a claimed 15 million viewers through American cable providers Verizon, Time Warner Cable and Comcast, among others. Youtoo launched in late September and promises viewers the chance to participate directly in the creation of programming by recording 15-second videos, called “Fame Spots,” which will air on the channel. In the coming months, Youtoo plans to add programming based on content from emerging web sites driven by user submissions, such as Howcast and Revision3.
As it is, Youtoo is a great concept, but it may flounder due to lack of wide viewership. However, other more established providers may follow its lead. Share your thoughts: As the line between television and the Internet blurs, what do you think is next for “the small screen?”
Luke can be reached at luke.jensen1981(at)gmail.com
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