‘Augmented reality’ TVFollowing on from the launch of its smart TV and mobile applications, as well as growing global distribution of its HDTV channel, Swiss-based iConcerts has finalised a deal with UK based 3DD Entertainment to produce the first ever live performance ‘augmented reality’ TV format which will be powered by iConcerts ViPass platform.

 

3DD will produce a monthly TV programme, “Backstage @ London Live”, focused on its popular TV series. In parallel, iConcerts will use its patent-pending Virtual Interactive Pass platform to deliver a rich-media entertainment site and social network around London Live recordings.

Fans will access a variety of exciting features, such as backstage webcams and artist interviews; they will also be able to chat and exchange media with other members of the audience through the iConcerts ViPass mobile application.

“ViPass technology will allow us to introduce a new generation of entertainment programme as it enhances the recorded TV show with the augmented experience of a live event and the power of social media. By connecting these three domains, we aim to create a new dimension in music television, and as such, new revenue streams for our music industry partners,” said Natalia Tsarkova, iConcerts Founder and CEO.

“For 3DD as TV concert series producers, it is exciting to work with a TV channel such as iConcerts, as they introduce new technology for enhanced viewer connection to the TV show experience,” added Dominic Saville, CEO, 3DD Entertainment.

Study shows that Women Top Men As Social Media Communicators

by Gavin O'Malley, Yesterday, 1:23 PM



There appears to be a new digital divide, but this one has nothing to do with socioeconomics.

For reasons that are not altogether clear, women now dominate men in their use of social media as a communication tool, according to a new study from Harris Interactive conducted on behalf of mobile VOIP provider Rebtel.

Among online adults, 68% of women now communicate via social media, compared to 54% of men in the United States. By Harris Interactive's estimation, that translates to approximately 75 million women who communicate with friends using social networks versus 57 million men.

"Our findings show that men tend to lag behind women when it comes to communicating with others through social media, which debunks other recent studies that suggest that men are more savvy networkers between the sexes," said Andreas Bernstrom, CEO of Rebtel.

Among those online adults who use social media to communicate, one out of five -- 19% -- expect to use social media more in the near future to communicate with these groups, representative of approximately 27 million American adults. Of this group men -- 23% -- are significantly more likely to indicate this than women -- 16%.

That said, related findings show that 11% expect to use social media less in the near future to communicate, while 70% expect to use social media the same amount in the near future to communicate with these groups, with women -- 74% -- being significantly more likely to indicate this than men, at 65%.

Specifically, among the 93% of the U.S. online adult population that communicates with family other than in-person, 60% of women communicate with family through social media, compared to just 42% of men. That equals about 67 million women communicating with family via social media versus 44 million men.

Evan among the 58% of the U.S. online adult population that communicate with work colleagues other than in-person, 34% of women -- compare to 22% of men -- use this method to stay in touch. According to Harris Interactive, that comes out to 21 million women who communicate with work colleagues compared to 16 million men.

When given the option to choose one communication method to stay in touch with friends (other than in-person), 18% of women -- compared to 12% of men -- choose social media.

Men are now slightly more likely to use phones to communicate: 75% versus 73% of women.

Reality TV programming maintaining its position at the most dominant TV genre.

Reality TV Grabs Most Viewers, Sports Nabs 20%
by Wayne Friedman, Yesterday, 11:34 AM



Over the past five years, sports programming has climbed sharply among U.S. viewers -- with reality TV programming maintaining its position at the most dominant TV genre.

A report from The Nielsen Company says in the 2010-2011 season, sports programming commanded 20% of the 187 million U.S. viewers ages 2 years and older. This is up from 19.4% the year before, and 9.4% and 8.1% in the two preceding years.

Reality television still commands the biggest share of U.S. TV viewing -- now at 56.4% for the 2010-2011 season. This is up from 47.9% the year before. The high spot for reality came in the 2007-2008 season, where it had a 77.3% share of all U.S. TV viewing. The year before it had a 68.3% share.

Scripted drama TV shows are in second place behind reality, accounting for 23.6% of U.S. TV viewing in 2010-2011 -- down from 32.7% in 2009-2010 and 32.8% in 2008-2009 season. During the last decade, scripted dramas were at their lowest point in the 2007-2008 season (14.6%) and the 2002-2003 season (11.0%). Their highest was in the 2005-2006 season, accounting for 42.8% of the total audience.

At the beginning of the decade, in the 2001-2002 season, things were very different. Reality accounted for 22.4% share -- with the highest viewing going to sitcom TV viewing at around 38.9%. Dramas were next at 29.5%.

Comedies virtually disappeared in the coming years -- with broadcast TV network cutting back and cable networks virtually offering up even less original comedy shows. Comedies declined to a 9.2% share in the 2003-2004 season, and went down to a 7.4% share in the 2008-2009 year.

Nielsen says over the past 10 years there has been a rise in DVR, online streaming, digital cable, video on-demand and other programming options. The audience size for broadcast prime time remains strong at just shy of 200 million viewers.