Loyalty Social TV App Viggle: Promises Better Rewards Beyond Badges And Stickers

written by: Gianluigi Cuccureddu

Details

Published on Thursday, 19 January 2012 13:11

Lostremote reports that the man who launched American Idol is getting into the social TV business. Robert Sillerman announced today that his new company, Function(x) will soon debut a TV loyalty app called Viggle. It works like this, people can check into various TV shows — the app will come with audio recognition software — and they can earn points that can redeemed for rewards from companies such as Burger King, Sephora, Fandango and the Hulu Plus service. Users can also participate in a range of supplementary content including quizzes and polls that prove their engagement in a program, which will be of use to advertisers.

Janet Scardino, chief executive officer of Function(x), said:

Function(x) says its working with several networks and production companies to create second-screen experiences on Viggle. “We look forward to providing a platform and service for our network partners to build their own second screen experiences,. Our vision is for Viggle to become a broad currency for loyalty across all TV and we’re excited about helping networks drive audience tune-in and engagement.”

Rob Enderle, principal analyst at The Enderle Group, said:

“TV check-in applications have not yet proven that they can move audiences who just want to sit and watch. Rewards have worked in the past to motivate people to change their behavior, and Viggle’s focus on real rewards may be the critical difference that drives TV audiences to participate.”

Read here an interview with Function(x)'s President Chris Stephenson on Ad Age about Viggle.