Yahoo and Samsung have announced an expanded multi-year partnership
to integrate its broadcast interactivity service into the company’s
Smart TVs.
Broadcast interactivity is Internet-enhanced television with a twist.
Under the arrangement, Yahoo’s SoundPrint audio fingerprint
technology will unite with Samsung’s SyncPlus platform. The combination
will result in real-time content in conjunction with TV shows and
advertisements on Samsung TVs.
“Today, consumers are engaging in interactive TV program experiences
more and more,” Eric Anderson, vice-president of content and product
solutions at Samsung Electronics America said in a press release.
“Samsung’s SyncPlus service combined with Yahoo! Broadcast
Interactivity and SoundPrint will provide consumers with a very
entertaining experience. We are very pleased to partner with Yahoo! and
we look forward to a successful collaboration in the years to come.”
Yahoo’s interactive television programming could come in the form of
trivia, additional show insights, program statistics and gaming options.
Showtime Networks and National Geographic Channel are two of the
initial TV programming partners to offer trivia.
For example, Showtime Boxing fans could access in-depth fight
information such as photos and videos. They could also test their
knowledge of boxers or vote for the boxer they think will win the match.
The system also gives users the option of using their Smartphones or
tablets as a stand-in for their remote control to view or share bonus
content. Users can also receive on-screen prompts about other viewing
options.
The Yahoo-Samsung partnership will also foster new forms of
advertising by extending traditional 30-second commercials into
“immediate actions.”
Broadcast interactivity-enabled commercials, will allow advertisers
to embed calls-to-action for downloading apps or digital media,
providing coupons, ordering samples, reading reviews or viewing product
information.
“We are thrilled that our expanded partnership with Samsung extends
our platform’s footprint, enabling our content partners and advertisers
to reach many more consumers,” said Ron Jacoby, vice-president of
Connected TV at Yahoo!. “Content owners can augment their programming,
and advertisers can create compelling calls-to-action that allow
audiences to engage on marketing messages the moment they are
delivered.”
