Advanced Television

Social participation TV to generate $2.9bn by 2016

July 20, 2011

Mobile and digital technology business Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) has published research on the trends and opportunities in participation TV (P-TV) services in particular social channels across global markets.

The research uncovers key technological and behavioural insights in to the entire P-TV value chain, from the types of devices that consumers use to interact with TV shows (tablet, internet, mobile, apps, SMS, fixed line) how they multi-task with them whilst watching TV and over which payment channels they prefer to purchase participation services such as voting and competitions.

It also interrogates mash-ups between established social media channels, in particular Twitter and Facebook, with TV and interactivity concluding that there is an emerging and potent P-TV model based on interactivity driven through social media –Social Participation TV, a new term identified by MIG.

Key research findings include:
1. Mobile will become the main vehicle for interaction between viewer and broadcaster
40 per cent of mobile users are most likely to be multi-tasking using their phone while watching the TV

2. Smartphone adoption will drive TV and mobile multi-tasking in UK and US, creating a more engaged audience, and significantly increasing programme interaction
The majority of multi-tasking occurs during the evenings and weekends during peak TV times when online browsing declines and mobile browsing grows

3. Facebook will drive a shift in interactive audience behaviour away from phone calls and text with these channels becoming peripheral in the long term
Facebook mobile now accounts for 50  per cent of its 700 million users globally.  67  per cent of all respondents indicated that the Internet is the ideal way to interact with TV shows with 50  per cent of those indicating that Facebook would be their preferred channel to purchase and use participation TV services such as voting.

4. Interactive events via Facebook are expected to generate $51.7 million (£32.04 million) in the UK by 2012 and $2.9 billion globally by 2016.

Barry Houlihan, CEO, Mobile Interactive Group said: “Social participation TV is a huge opportunity for MIG and our broadcast partners, with mobile featuring as the key enabler and engagement tool. The mobile device is ingrained in our daily lives, and is rapidly becoming a core component in the ability to create an interaction between the viewer and the TV.

As a medium, TV continues to be the biggest and best in terms of attracting a large audience; and mass P-TV shows like Big Brother remain the cornerstone for broadcasters in terms of interaction and entertainment, whilst also opening new revenue channels.”
MIG’s global platform ‘mVoy’ enables brands from all over the world to interact, engage and communicate with consumers via mobile.  mVoy Engage provides media, broadcast entertainment companies with a definitive toolset to power social interactive formats and services to viewers.

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