MIPTV 2014 – CANNES. Civolution has announced that Talpa has licensed its SyncNow Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) technology.
Talpa can now use SyncNow in all its TV formats requiring a synchronised second screen experience and deliver it along with the format and app to its broadcaster clients.
The first deployment taking advantage of the agreement is the What Do I Know (Weet ik veel) format licensed to multiple territories. “What Do I Know” is a dynamic and fast-paced quiz show where three national celebrities battle each other in a wide range of general knowledge questions to win a cash prize for deserving individuals.
The show, which lends itself perfectly to engaging second screen interactions, enables viewers to play along by answering a number of questions via the show’s second screen app, developed by Amsterdam-based second screen specialist ExMachina. The synchronisation is fully leveraging Civolution’s SyncNow ACR solution, allowing for real-time and precise interaction with the live broadcast.
Talpa’s What Do I Know has already proven to be a major hit for national media groups RTL in the Netherlands and M6 in France. Belgian and Slovakian versions of the programme also leveraging Civolution’s SyncNow are in the production stage, demonstrating the popularity of the quiz show.
“At Talpa we want to be able to offer the full package to our broadcaster customers, the show format and the synchronized companion app,” said Igor Milder, managing director of Talpa Connect.
“When we started looking for an ACR solution it turned out that Civolution’s SyncNow technology was already the technology of choice by many broadcasters, which made it a really easy choice for us. By enabling true integration of the second screen with TV programming, we are offering the chance for the public to be part of the show and for us and broadcasters to be at the forefront of the second screen TV revolution. We are now looking forward to developing further formats with second screens in mind.”
“We are constantly striving to help the media industry to anticipate and meet consumer demand for more and better interaction with the TV,” said Alex Terpstra, CEO of Civolution.
“We are now able to deliver truly synchronized and immersive TV experiences. Viewers are no longer just watching, they are becoming an integral part of the game or show. Talpa develops some of the world’s most compelling programme formats, such as the hugely popular talent show The Voice, enabling broadcasters to reach audiences in an innovative way and create a more intimate relationship. For broadcasters, advertisers and brands, this is great news.”