Yahoo! Introduces Broadcast Interactivity, New TV Apps and Mobile Device Connectivity on Yahoo! Connected TV

written by: Richard Kastelein

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Published on Thursday, 06 January 2011 08:34

Yahoo! is revolutionizing Internet-connected TVs once again with an innovative new consumer experience for TV, called broadcast interactivity, on its Yahoo! Connected TV platform, which brings Internet-enhanced television to millions of consumers across the world's most popular TV brands.

Unveiled today at CES, this feature launches in a pilot program with select national broadcast, cable TV leaders including ABC, CBS, HSN and Showtime, along with major brand advertisers such as Ford, Mattel and Microsoft. Yahoo! also revealed new TV apps for the Connected TV platform from traditional media and entertainment companies, including CNBC, Clear Channel Radio, NBC, QVC and mgMedia. At the show, Yahoo! is demonstrating three-screen connectivity features, which offer interactivity between external devices and the TV, including tablets and phones.

On the mobile side, Yahoo! announced a new Flickr app for Windows 7 phones and Slate tablets, which offer Flickr members a rich and seamless experience to share and discover photos and videos directly from their mobile devices.

“Our collaboration with leaders in television and brand advertising, combined with the innovative technologies we’re pioneering, signals the beginning of a new era of highly personalized, Internet-enhanced television,” said Ron Jacoby, vice president, Yahoo! Connected TV. “Imagine an immersive, real-time TV experience that brings people even closer to the programs and brands they love by enabling them to play along while they watch their favorite shows.”

With broadcast interactivity, TV programmers will be able to create TV apps that let viewers vote for a reality-TV participant, get more information about characters, or make e-commerce purchases while waching a show. For brand advertisers, broadcast interactivity will let them connect in real time with TV viewers during commercials or other branded entertainment experiences. Examples of broadcast interactivity could include:

1. · CBS — Viewers of “Hawaii Five-O” could view fun facts about the show and learn more about the actors, characters, and setting by using their remote controls.
2. · ABC — Viewers of anABCprimetime showcould access actor information and view photos and videos during certain scenes right from their TVs while watching the show.
3. · Showtime — “Showtime Boxing” fans could access detailed fight information including photos and videos, test their knowledge of the boxers, and vote for the boxer they think will win the match.
4. · HSN — Viewers watching HSN could directly purchase an item highlighted on the live show and take advantage of specials of the day, using their remote controls.
5. · Ford — TV viewers watching a Lincoln commercial could find local dealers, customize their dream cars, view Lincoln luxury lifestyle videos, and more.
6. · Mattel — Viewers of a Barbie® TV commercial could take Barbie polls, play Barbie dress-up games, view Barbie documentary videos, and more.

Yahoo! is working with Connected TV distribution partners including Broadcom Corporation,

D-Link, Haier, MediaTek, Sony and Toshiba to enable the broadcast interactivity pilot on their devices in 2011.

TV apps on Yahoo! Connected TV

Today the Yahoo! Connected TV experience centers around a collection of more than 100 easy-to-use TV apps, providing deep content designed to complement TV viewing. TV apps run the gamut from social networking to music, games, news, weather, finance, and shopping, and provide access to more than 50,000 movies and TV shows on demand.

Traditional media and entertainment companies are developing some of the most compelling new TV apps available on Yahoo! Connected TV. These companies include CNBC, a recognized world leader in business news; Clear Channel Radio, a leading radio company; NBC, a leading television network; QVC, one of the largest multimedia retailers in the world; and mgMedia, developer of technology for multi-device, worldwide movies on demand distribution.

New media TV apps for the Yahoo! Connected TV platform include those from Mediafly, Virtual Nerd, Screen Dreams, and more.