Introducing Yahoo Broadcast Interactivity TV Platform

At this month’s CE show Yahoo! Debuts a new connected television platform geared towards both viewers and TV programs creators, to enable them to offer more interactive contents to viewers. So far HSN, ABC, Showtime and CBS are partners with Yahoo! And talks are going on with brand advertisers (like Microsoft, Ford and Mattel) to come on board. Content producers are expected to pilot some of the solutions as early as the first half of this year.

According to Yahoo!, TV programmers will be able to create TV apps for the Broadcast Interactivity Platform that let viewers get more information about reality TV characters, vote or make purchases while watching the show.  They are also working with distribution partners such as D-Link, Sony, Haier, Toshiba, Media Tek and Broadcom to enable the broadcast interactivity pilot on their devices.

Examples of broadcast interactivity could include:

• Mattel — Viewers of a Barbie® TV commercial could take Barbie polls, play Barbie dress-up games, view Barbie documentary videos, and more.
• CBS — Viewers of “Hawaii Five-O” could view fun facts about the show and learn more about the actors, characters, and setting by using their remote controls.
• Showtime — “Showtime Boxing” fans could access detailed fight information including photos and videos, test their knowledge of the boxers, and vote for the boxer they think will win the match.
• HSN — Viewers watching HSN could directly purchase an item highlighted on the live show and take advantage of specials of the day, using their remote controls.
• ABC — Viewers of an ABC primetime show could access actor information and view photos and videos during certain scenes right from their TVs while watching the show.
• Ford — TV viewers watching a Lincoln commercial could find local dealers, customize their dream cars, view Lincoln luxury lifestyle videos, and more.

“Imagine an immersive, real-time TV experience that brings people even closer to the programs and brands they love by enabling them to play along while they watch their favourite shows,” said Ron Jacoby, vice president, Yahoo! Connected TV.  “Our collaboration with leaders in television and brand advertising, combined with the innovative technologies we’re pioneering, signals the beginning of a new era of highly personalized, Internet-enhanced television.”