History TV18 launches second screen companion app for smartphones

As more and more work shifts to the mobile sphere, larger screens have been relegated to secondary status. With powerful, multimedia-ready smartphones, high-speed data access and better wireless connectivity, Indians are moving to their phones for the latest in TV entertainment too. Content providers and channels have a great opportunity when it comes to mobile and making their content available to all corners, without restrictions such as licenses and ground infrastructure, by building OTT services.   Seeing this opportunity, History TV18 has launched the world’s first second screen channel app in the Factual Entertainment category. It is based on the standard existing platform built by iCouchApp app, India’s first second screen app for TV channels. Second screen apps are those that aim to provide an enhanced viewing experience with exclusive content on another device, such as a smartphone or a tablet, in conjunction with the TV set.   As you can expect from a second screen app, the History TV18 app has features such as show feeds with videos clips, images and trivia thrown in so you can learn more about your favourite shows and presenters. It also features live chats, so you can start talking to fellow fans and others using the app, while watching the show on TV. Live chat platform allows viewers to connect with all other fans watching the same show in real time.   It also has the all-important social media integration, so users can share tidbits with their followers and friends. Finally one can create and participate in polls and quizzes, which will no doubt increase the edutainment factor of the app. Besides these features, one can receive automatic notifications when a preassigned show goes on air. A web-based backend interface allows content owners to moderate chats, polls, feeds etc.   Speaking on the app’s launch, Sangeetha Aiyer, VP & Head of Marketing said, “We’ve constantly been bringing forth new ideas and innovations on social media, ever since our launch. I think the app is another step in the direction of providing a voice to our audience and enriching their viewing experience. We hope to see this platform evolve into a thriving vocal community of HISTORY TV18 viewers and fans”   Disclosure: History TV18 is part of the Network18 Group, which owns and publishes Tech2.