USA NETWORK LAUNCHES THE NEXT PHASE OF USA SYNC - FIRST LIVE SECOND SCREEN CONTENT SYNDICATION PLATFORM
USA Network Activates Syndication Platform Allowing More than 95 Million Viewers to Access USA Content Across Popular Mobile Apps Including Shazam, Viggle, zeebox, NextGuide
NEW YORK - April 1, 2013 - USA Network announced today the results of its first event, utilizing an expanded version of "USA Sync" which syndicates content across the web, mobile and social channels. Powered by Watchwith, USA Sync went live during the telecast of PSYCH's 100th episode, which also activated viewers with its first ever, choose-your-own-ending vote. USA Sync gives more than 95 million users access to custom content across popular mobile apps including Shazam, Viggle, zeebox, and NextGuide. On March 27th, almost 40,000 fans interacted with PSYCH games, short-form video, animated GIFS, editorial commentary, voting and polling in real-time, extending their experience beyond the linear broadcast. USA will continue to engage other partners in syndication deals to expand its distribution footprint.
The launch event generated impressive engagement across the syndication network, with fans spending an average of more than 13 minutes in the app of their choice - in some cases this was an exponential increase, depending on the app.
"The strong fan response shows that viewers want to consume compelling content on the devices and apps of their choice," said Jesse Redniss, SVP of digital, USA Network. "We are taking the success of our in-house innovation, partnering with the best offerings in the space and amplifying our reach - offering our partners valuable customized and branded content and giving our fans more of the great USA content they love."
USA Sync's syndication offering includes:
· Live Fan Response: Fans can engage in a more meaningful way with show content through voting and polling activations that relate to what fans see on-air. PSYCH's alternate-ending vote is an example of how fans can have an actual impact on live programming.
· Gamification: Fans can play second screen games that are closely tied to on-air content, providing a real-time companion experience that rewards them with affinity points and prizes and allows them to share accomplishments with others in their social network.
· Real-Time Connections: The social activations powered by the Sync offering drive live engagement that encourages fans to commune around the on-air program and expands the definition of what television-viewing can be.
USA Network is using Watchwith's metadata syndication platform to enable the network's in-house producers to create and distribute the USA Sync experience.
The #1 network in all of basic cable for seven consecutive years, USA Network is seen in over 102 million U.S. homes. USA is a leader in scripted programming with a powerful stable of originals, spectacular live television and is home to the best in blockbuster theatrical films, a broad portfolio of acquired series and entertainment events. Viewers come to USA to find television's best in critically-acclaimed and award-winning original programming, such as BURN NOTICE, ROYAL PAINS, WHITE COLLAR, COVERT AFFAIRS, PSYCH, SUITS, NECESSARY ROUGHNESS and WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW, as well as the highest-rated acquired originals, includingHOUSE, NCIS, LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT and CSI. A trailblazer in digital innovation and storytelling, USA is defining, driving and setting the industry standard for Social TV. USA is a program service of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal. The award-winning website is located atwww.usanetwork.com. Characters Welcome.
|