Real time second screen viewing analysis arrives

We’ve been saying it for some time now but it seems that the popularity of second screen viewing is now so popular that media companies and brands now want to measure its relationship with other services. This week Twitter and ratings company Nielson announced a partnership which will monitor the amount of social media activity directly related to content being broadcast on the main screen.

It’s hoped the new tool will allow networks and advertisers to access real-time metrics for understanding TV audiences and social activity. With tablets set to be the number one present this Christmas, the entire tablet market is expected to shoot up 112% compared to last year. It means more people will have a screen sitting on their lap whilst settling down to watch their favourite shows, leading to more interaction with the content they will be watching.

With this trend now clearly established, the digital TV market must adapt to changing viewing behaviour to ensure it meets consumers’ needs. The link between social media and TV viewing highlights the benefits of linking tablets and smartphones directly to TV devices to provide relevant information based on what the consumer is watching.  

ANT wins at ConnectedWorld.TV Awards

Last night at the ConnectedWorld.TV Awards we collected the prize for the best native app for a portable device for ANT Galio Move. The awards ceremony took place at IBC 2012 and was hosted by Spencer Kelly (middle), presenter of BBC Click. It was great to see the product recognised by the industry as one of the leading applications on the market.

ANT Galio Move was launched at IBC 2011 and allows consumers to stream live and recorded TV to tablets and smartphones anywhere in the home. You can view the device in action on ANT’s YouTube Channel.

The award has come as we have been demonstrating the latest social media functionality of ANT Galio Move at this year’s IBC. We’ve had excellent feedback from visitors who have had a hands-on demonstration of the new features. 

ANT Galio Move now enables viewers to update Facebook or Twitter while they watch TV content on the companion device, or access additional related associated content on Wikipedia, YouTube or iTunes. It’s this interaction with the content, and being able to engage with what you are watching, that has hit the right note at IBC this year.

With these new features added, we’re already looking forward to innovating further as the fast moving second screen market continues to gain momentum.

Predictions for the year ahead…

From ANT CEO, Simon Woodward

With CES over for another year it’s clear that 2012 is shaping up to be another exciting year for the TV industry. Connected TV was very much a key theme at the show alongside some 3DTV advances and some pretty stunning new TV’s including the 55 Inch Samsung Super OLED.

TV technology has undergone a huge amount of transformation in recent years, with the evolution of screen form factors, display and image definition; and it’s not going to slow down in 2012. We’re seeing growing demand for connected TV services and consumers are turning their attention to the features of their set-top box (STB) and the services it provides to them.

2012 will be a tipping point for the connected TV market. Multiscreen TV services are the next step towards the ‘TV everywhere’ vision that the industry aspires to, where consumers will be able to access content whenever and wherever they want. Multiscreen services undoubtedly offer new opportunities when it comes to features and content – for consumers, device manufacturers, broadcasters and brands.

With some of the world’s biggest technology players looking to stake a claim in digital TV services during 2012, new doors are opening for brands when it comes to engaging with consumers. Up until now, we’ve been stuck in a chicken and egg situation when it comes to the development of interactive TV advertising. Marketers have been slower than expected when it comes to exploiting the direct-to-consumer presence that connected devices offer, with many waiting for consumers to show an interest. But without engaging content, the fact of the matter is that consumers have nothing to interact with.

The next generation of STBs is set to deliver a wealth of new services that will enable brands to interact in innovative new ways with consumers while they watch their TV. This means bringing to the table a greater variety of services that will enable viewers to shape their own viewing experience. For advertisers it’s important to remember that there’s a fine line between personalisation and ad-overload, so they must work with broadcasters to take advantage of these new technologies and deliver intelligent connected TV strategies.

It’s important that the experience we value most about TV watching – that opportunity to sit back, relax and escape – remains at the heart of these new services.

European initiative merges television with the power of the internet

Here at ANT we’re delighted to have been involved in the launch of “Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV” or “HbbTV”, a major new pan-European initiative aimed at harmonising the broadcast and broadband delivery of news, information and entertainment to the end consumer through TVs and set-top boxes.

It’s an exciting time for the market and we’ll be making further announcements soon so watch this space!

You can find out more information on the HbbTV website and

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