TV Industry Debates Future Of Television

zeebox has lead a discussion with the UK TV industry on the advent of social or ’augmented’ TV and on the implications of the second-screen for broadcasters and production companies alike.
This unique event, taking place at world-famous Pinewood Studios, brought together 150 executives from UK broadcasters and TV production companies to debate how content owners can take advantage of the second-screen to make broadcast TV relevant again.
zeebox showcased its next-generation ’Showtime’ tools for broadcasters and programme makers, using recent trials with Channel 4 and Sky as case studies.
In addition, the event featured live demonstrations of programme enhancements created inside zeebox by leading second-screen technology providers BT Agilemedia, Ex Machina, IMImobile, Monterosa, Visiware, MIG and Tellybug.
Showtime is a simple toolkit that allows broadcasters and programme-makers to publish show-specific content through zeebox. When the show starts, users automatically see the normal zeebox content plus premium features delivered by the broadcaster. Showtime is designed to make efficient use of content already created by the show’s rights-holder: fan pages, cast bios, backstage videos, custom Twitter streams, interactive widgets, etc.
"With Showtime broadcasters and programme-makers can engage closely with fans, create a lively, engaging, social distribution point for additional content, and obtain insightful analytics about their customers", said Simon Miller, Chief of Product & Content Development, zeebox.
Zeebox CTO Anthony Rose added: "The future of broadcast TV is about synchronicity between the TV and the second-screen. zeebox’s platform connects TV context with users and content owners, enabling a deeper connection between broadcast TV and its fans."
(LB)