The research firm Nielsen is teaming up with Walt Disney Co.’s ABC in the US by offering an application for Apple’s iPad for the network’s new drama My Generation, which premieres this Thursday, September 23.
After downloading the app, viewers can sync their iPad with the ongoing TV programme, which will display polls, trivia and other content and social network features. Nielsen’s involvement is their Media Sync Platform, which lets the iPad recognise the programme by receiving cues on the built-in mike.
The syncing of My Generation will be just the first of this kind of ‘multi-tasking TV’, as Nielsen expects to announce similar deals with other programmes and networks during 2011.
The app can of course also be used for marketing purposes by advertisers on the shows that get synced. Privacy is guarded, as the networks will not be receiving any data on the users.
