Social TV's ACTV8.me Signs Deal with Fox

written by: Richard Kastelein

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Published on Thursday, 19 April 2012 02:00

Leading interactive television technology provider ACTV8.me announced today that it has entered into an agreement to deploy multiple interactive second-screen TV experiences for Fox Broadcasting Company (FOX), the #1 broadcast television network among Adults 18-49.  In addition, FOX has taken an equity stake in ACTV8.me to further drive the network's innovation in social TV.

Under the terms of the agreement, the companies will "ACTV8" several of FOX's primetime series, beginning with the New Girl second screen app, which is available today on iTunes App Store for iPhones and will be available on iPad and Android platforms following the coming weeks. Through these apps, viewers can interact during the live broadcast of their favorite FOX shows in a number of ways, including chatting in real time, earning badges by watching and answering episodic trivia.

ACTV8.me Founder/CEO Brian Shuster says:

"FOX has a reputation for bold, groundbreaking programming and for progressive thinking in the digital space. Our goal with Fox is to deploy and nurture new, really compelling interactive and social features that enhance the overall television entertainment experience and ultimately grow audience viewership."

Bill Bradford, Senior Vice President of Digital Media for Fox Broadcasting Company says:

"Forming deeper and more relevant relationships with our audience is a key priority at FOX. We're always looking for new ways to enhance the viewing experience for our audience with rich, engaging interactive content, and we think ACTV8.me is an ideal partner to help us achieve that."

"Today's audience has a whole new set of expectations from the shows they enjoy," Shuster continues. "ACTV8.me gives them exactly what they want: interactivity, social connectivity, with the overall goal of gamifying the second screen experience."   Ushering in the new era of connected and social television, ACTV8.me's easy-to-use and free-to-play applications give viewers a two-screen "uber-platform" to connect and interact via smartphone or tablet with TV programs.

Shuster concludes:

"We've got a new way of watching TV with the viewer's favorite companion: their smartphone or tablet. As this market matures, and if we really listen to the audience as we grow, this platform could surely provide the most significant breakthrough in the history of the television business."