Everyone has an opinion, and when it comes to TV shows everyone can now air that opinion. And the reason? Facebook and Twitter, the two most influential social platforms. Social networking and TV watching go together like ham and eggs, but a new report goes further, saying that the two powerhouses are also becoming the power brokers for the new global, digital TV landscape.

The report by Futurescape, a digital media research company says in their report on social TV that “Facebook and Twitter are now power brokers for the global television industry,”

The report looks at the ways social networking are permeating pretty much everyone and everywhere, “Their ability to create new business opportunities and engage viewers, boosting advertising and pay-TV revenue, gives them a significant and increasing influence over all aspects of television.”

In effect, social networks can now make or break a show. They can propel a niche show on a minor channel into the mainstream. And also kill a multi-million budget show after an episode.

There are some more interesting points coming from the report, including the fact that electronic program guides (EPG’s) are now incorporating Facebook and Twitter, allowing users to send an instant recommendion. And the important bit, “encouraging them to subscribe to pay-TV channels for particular programs.”

Big companies are seeing the power of social networking. Yahoo recently brought the social TV company IntoNow.

It may be seen as an interesting shift of power from the big Pay TV operators, but then it could just be seen as an extension of the TV review and critics who can also make or break a show.

Press Release in Full

FACEBOOK AND TWITTER ARE TV’S NEW POWER BROKERS, SHAPING THE FUTURE OF TELEVISION

LONDON, May 13, 2011 -  Digital media research company Futurescape reveals how Facebook and Twitter are now power brokers for the global
television industry.

Their ability to create new business opportunities and engage viewers, boosting advertising and pay-TV revenue, gives them a
significant and increasing influence over all aspects of television.

The key findings come in the second edition of the Futurescape report, Social TV.

Facebook and Twitter are now power brokers in global TV, through creating new business opportunities for the television industry.

* Shows such as The X Factor will use the Facebook Credits digital currency so that viewers can readily pay to vote.

* Pay-TV electronic programme guides (EPGs) are incorporating Facebook and Twitter: this lets viewers instantly recommend shows to
friends and followers, encouraging them to subscribe to pay-TV channels for particular programmes.

* More than 30 startup companies are launching innovative forms of social TV to entertain viewers and provide value for broadcasters and
advertisers: most have deep integration with Facebook and Twitter.

The social networks’ power over the TV business will increase, because the future of television is social.

* Many viewers already communicate via Twitter and Facebook on mobiles and laptops while watching TV. This trend can only grow:
consumers are buying Internet TV sets with Facebook and Twitter apps pre-installed and also entertainment tablets, such as the iPad.

* Viewers commenting during programming, particularly live event shows such as the Oscars, is likely to boost viewing and raise
advertising revenue for broadcasters.

* Connected TV sets with Twitter and Facebook apps mean that television programming will co-exist with social media on the same
screen. Television shows will be viewed with an on-screen, social context.

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MEDIA ENQUIRIES

Colin Donald, Director, Futurescape:  colin@futurescape.tv
Office +44 (0)20 7193 8295 Mobile +44 (0)7833 975 574   Web: www.futurescape.tv

NOTES TO EDITORS

Futurescape publishes strategy reports on the future of television.
Its latest title is the second edition of Social TV: How Facebook,
Twitter and connected television transform global TV advertising,
pay-TV, EPGs and broadcasting.

The 222-page report can be ordered online at www.futurescape.tv

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