How Social Media is Saving TV
Tonight, I'm watching the Oscars. And I'm watching it in a way I haven't in the past several years: live. I DVR everything - I DVR'ed the Olympics, I record baseball and I couldn't even tell you what night my favorite show airs. But tonight, I'm sitting through what seems like hours of commercials for one reason - Twitter. For me, to watch the Oscars on a delay would mean turning of Twitter and Facebook for the night - the humanity!
Instead of unplugging, ABC's got one more person watching their TV ads. The same goes for American Idol (I have my indulgences!), LOST and countless other shows that people love to talk about. Social media has changed the way people watch and interact with TV, and might serve as a saving grace for advertisers who can't get enough of the 30-second spot.
How Networks Can Take Advantage
A helping hand only helps if you take hold of it. Television networks can capitalize on social media's love of live in two ways:
- Encourage audience participation by drawing attention to hashtags and Facebook Fan Pages. Note: this should not be invasive within the broadcast - Fox, I'm looking at you! Promote these integrations in the beginning of the broadcast or in promo spots.
- Use social media to provide a richer viewing experience - extended or deleted scenes on YouTube, interactions with show stars on Twitter, trivia contests on Facebook. Be where your audience is, when your audience needs you.
What do you think? Has social media changed the way you watch TV?
