Thaicom, one of Asia’s leading satellite operators, alongside a joint venture between Kantana Group and Intouch Holdings has today announced the launch of its first 2nd Screen platform deployment in Thailand.
The service will first be used to air Gossip Girl, licensed from the Gossip Girl TV series in the USA, on one of Thailand’s biggest broadcasters: the Channel 3 Television Network.
“2nd Screen is the future trend of the broadcasting business,” said Patompob Suwansiri, Chief Marketing Officer at Thaicom. “We developed this 2nd Screen platform as part of Thaicom’s Broadband & Broadcast convergence platform which will help us progress towards our goal of being an end-to-end service provider to our customers in the media industry and broadcasting.”
Patompob added: “We are very excited that InTouch, Kantana Group has chosen to deploy our service in the coming months and we look forward to seeing where we can take this innovative service in the future.”
Whether it be for emailing, texting, shopping, social networking or web browsing, Tablet and Smartphone owners are often using their mobile devices while watching television. The 2nd screen service will actually encourage viewers to use their Smartphones while watching the show.
“Gossip Girl is an ideal program for the 2nd screen launch due the shows appeal to younger, tech-savvy viewers,” said Sasikorn Chansate, CEO, Television Business, Kantana Group Public Company Limited. “Viewers will be able to watch the program when and where they want, as much as they want, and will also be able to interact with other fans online. We are especially excited to hear viewers’ feedback on the service.”
The second screen platform will enhance users’ viewing experience by giving them access to additional content on a mobile device while watching the show on their television. Additional content will include on-demand video including uncensored versions of the show and bonus scenes, additional information about characters, actors and plotlines, as well as games, quizzes, shopping and social networking opportunities.
Kim Siritaweechai, EVP, Portfolio Management, Intouch Holding Public Company Limited, believes the service will not only benefit viewers, but also participating networks and sponsors by opening up new revenue streams and driving m-commerce.
“Sponsors will be able to deliver more consumer-friendly advertisements, including interactive and “gamified” ads, while retail companies will be able to offer exclusive discounts and shopping opportunities to viewers, even letting them shop for clothes seen on the show,” said Mr. Siritaweechai. “Participating networks will benefit through receiving consumer behavior information that will help them target audiences and, in turn, increase program ratings. We look forward to hearing positive feedback from all parties involved.”
The 2nd screen service will be available to download in Apple Store & Play Store at the end of June. The eighteen-episode series of Gossip Girl will air in early July on Thailand’s Channel 3 Television Network at 11pm every Thursday.
