WebProNews

Tag: Television

  • TV Isn’t Quite as Dead as You Think It Is

    Although the way we consume televised entertainment has been altered somewhat in the wake of new technology, people are still sticking their eyeballs all over their TV sets when they’re ready to be entertained. I doubt that will change anytime soon.

    Sure, the number of individuals watching live broadcasts of television programs has dropped significantly since last year, but that doesn’t mean people are abandoning the medium altogether. In fact, the average TV-loving coach potato spends almost 5 hours per day with their brains attached to whatever’s unfolding across their television screens. In fact, 98% of these programs are viewed on TV sets, though the landscape in which they are enjoyed is a bit different.

    Thanks to the advent of DVRs, gaming consoles, and set-top boxes that allow users stream content directly into their living rooms, people aren’t watching their favorite shows when they’re scheduled to air. Instead of centering their life around, say, FOX’s primetime line-up, they can simply watch them at their convenience. This practice isn’t entirely new; back in the 80’s and 90’s, people had these devices called VCRs that allowed them to record movies, TV shows, and the like using a thing called a VHS tape. Analog all the way, baby.

    “When it comes to newly released movies, old TV shows, and everything in between, consumers are increasingly turning to devices that enable them to watch streamed content on their big screen,” Nielsen pointed out. “Two-thirds of game consoles in homes are now connected to the Internet, creating a new conduit for content delivery. In fact, more than half of Netflix users watch on their TV set via a game console or over-the-top streaming device.”

    However, it would be foolish to completely rule out mobile devices as a way to enjoy filmed entertainment. In fact, 33.5 million mobile phone owners currently use their devices to watch videos of all shapes and sizes. I foresee a future filled with pasty, squinty, far-sighted individuals who require the assistance of extremely thick glasses in order to actually see what it is they’re watching. And before you ask, yes, my eyesight is dreadful.

    In other words, your television isn’t going anywhere just yet. Despite what your smartphone-obsessed friends are telling you about the future of entertainment, the TV is still quite relevant. There may come a day when these enormous televisions go the way of the boom box and the floppy disk, but I seriously hope I’m not around to experience it.

  • YouTube Launches Brandcast, Devotes $200M to Ad Campaign

    YouTube’s looking to evolve from offering only a conglomeration of amateur videos and pirated clips and become a legitimate provider of premium content with its new marketing tool, Brandcast, and it’s looking to achieve that goal by pledging millions of dollars toward the campaign.

    Yesterday at a celebrity-laden courtship for advertisers that featured the likes of Jay-Z, Virginia Madsen, Julia Stiles, Flo Rida, and several others, YouTube announced it was dedicating $200 million dollars to promote the premium channels throughout the Google Display Network. YouTube is investing another $100 million dollars into the creation and production of content for the premium channels, as well, so they’ll have a more Hollywood gloss to them and won’t be mistaken for the shaky camera work you see in so many of those skateboarder wipeout videos.

    In case you missed the teaser that YouTube released last month for Brandcast’s debut, take a look at what YouTube has in mind.

    YouTube’s been working toward its first upfront event since rumors began to circulate last September that the video site was going to launch a TV-like service.

    According to a Advertising Age, Global Head of Content at Google/YouTube Google/YouTube, Robert Kyncl, wants to take YouTube into a bold new direction with online broadcasting. “We will fish where the fish are in a mighty big pond,” he said invitingly to the advertising execs in attendance. “If you want to lead, join us now for the next seven years. We can build audiences together. We can build brands together.”

    So far, YouTube’s managed to attract a high caliber of celebrities to create channels on YouTube. A report from the Washington Post last October detailed how Madonna, Shaquille O’Neal, Ashton Kutcher, and Jay-Z will be a part of YouTube’s plan to eventually offer 100 channels of original programming that will produce about 25 hours of new material every day. As of today, YouTube’s practically already at that 100-channel goal as it’s channels page for new and original content has over 90 channels.

    As Google TV wades into the television and production market and with the Apple TV making a separate effort, it’ll be interesting to see whether or not this is the first death knell for cable television as we know it.

  • American Idol To Air Dick Clark Tribute Tonight

    Earlier today American Idol host, Ryan Seacrest, took to Twitter to inform his 6+ million followers that the show is “putting together a tribute for Dick Clark”. This really comes as now surprise, as the two were longtime friends, and co-hosts of “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve”.

    (image)@RyanSeacrest
    Ryan Seacrest    We’re putting together a tribute for Dick Clark on @AmericanIdol tonight…just talked to @dizzyfeet(image) 5 hours ago via UberSocial for BlackBerry ·  Reply ·  Retweet ·  Favorite · powered by @socialditto

    If you’re wondering who @dizzyfeet is, it’s the Twitter handle for Nigel Lythgoe, American Idol executive producer (and “So You Think You Can Dance” judge”).

    Seacrest made a very brief, but heartfelt, mention of Clark during last nights taping of American Idol, “Without Dick, a show like this would not exist,” the host said before noting that the Bandstand host would be the first one to say, “Hey, let’s get on with the show.” You can see Seacrest’s tribute below:

    Dick Clark passed away yesterday of a heart attack, he was 82. For more information go here.

  • “Beware the Batman” Teaser Trailer Now Online

    Cartoon Network has been airing a promo for their upcoming animated Batman series entitled “Beware the Batman“. The series is set to premiere sometime later this year, and will be the first Batman series to utilize full CGI visuals. Below you’ll find the shows official synopsis followed the promo we mentioned earlier.

    A cool, new take on the classic Dark Knight franchise, Beware the Batman incorporates Batman’s core characters with a rogues gallery of new villains not previously seen in animated form. Along with backup from ex-secret agent Alfred and lethal swordstress Katana, the Dark Knight faces the twisted machinations of Gotham City’s criminal underworld led by the likes of Anarky, Professor Pyg, Mister Toad and Magpie. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, this action-packed detective thriller deftly redefines what we have come to know as a “Batman show.” Featuring cutting-edge CGI visuals to match the intricate twists and turns of the narrative, Batman steps out of the shadows and into the spotlight for an entirely new generation of fans. With WBA’s Sam Register executive producing, and Batman Beyond’s Glen Murakami and Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated’s Mitch Watson producing, Beware the Batman, based on characters from DC Comics, is coming soon to Cartoon Network!

    I’m trying hard to not to be to critical of the whole series based off this one promo… but it just looks so cheap. Anyways, what are your thoughts on the promo? Let us know in the comment area below.

  • HBO Films’ Hemingway & Gellhorn Trailer Now Online

    HBO Films’ has released a trailer for their upcoming “Hemingway & Gellhorn”. The film, which is slated to air on May 28th, tells the story of two American writers, Ernest Hemingway and Martha Gellhorn, who shared quite a destructive love affair during the 1930s and 1940s while covering the Spanish Civil War. “Hemingway & Gellhorn” stars Clive Owen and Nicole Kidmn, and is pretty much already a frontrunner for next years Emmy’s… and it hasn’t even aired yet.

    Below you’ll find the films official synopsis followed by the trailer. Enjoy.

    “HEMINGWAY & GELLHORN recounts one of the greatest romances of the last century – the passionate love affair and tumultuous marriage of literary master Ernest Hemingway and the beautiful, trailblazing war correspondent Martha Gellhorn – as it follows the adventurous writers through the Spanish Civil War and beyond. As witnesses to history, they covered all the great conflicts of their time; but the war they couldn’t survive was the war between themselves.”

    As we mentioned before, Hemingway & Gellhorn is set to premiere on HBO May 28th.

  • FCC Pushes for Web Disclosure of Political Ads

    FCC Pushes for Web Disclosure of Political Ads

    Local television stations make big bank during election seasons running political ads. Used to be, you could count on ads from the opponents themselves. Nowadays, in a world where money equals protected free speech, many other concerns have an axe to grind on the airwaves. That leads to even more revenue for televisions stations as they run ads paid for by third parties and “SuperPACs”.

    The public deserves to know who is speaking to them on any given political topic. If an ad is not endorsed and approved by a given political candidate – those are easy to spot now – then who aired it? Televisions stations are required to keep a list of organizations that spend for political advertisements. This listing is available for the public to peruse at the station office.

    But who drops in to a television station and asks to see the listing anymore? Generally speaking, if we want to know something like that, we jump on the Internet machine. Only, television stations are not required to publish those lists online. Even though it may make sense to you and me that they should, they generally don’t. And they don’t want to. The FCC thinks they should. The television stations are fighting it tooth and nail. The last time it was brought up,lawsuits rained down on the FCC. But here it comes again.

    The commissioner of the FCC are convening later this month, and they will take up this topic again at that time. They want the stations to upload those records to an FCC-maintained site. The stations say that would cost them too much to do.

    I have mentioned in past articles that I used to work in radio for a bit. The old-timers there told me of all kinds of archaic regulations, hopps to jump through, etc. that existed in the time before Reagan deregulated that industry. Nowadays, it is wondrously easier for them to do their jobs. Of course, two companies now own almost all stations with any power and we have to listen to the same music everywhere we go, but some consider that progress.

    My point is this, things have gotten way better for the broadcast industries over the years. Their employees will likely waste more on Facebook each hour than it will take to maintain the FCC-proposed listing of political ad buyers. It’s even going to be an FCC-maintained site, likely with an easy upload interface. 5 minutes a day to upload the already-required public ad buyer list is a pretty decent regulation to have in place to keep the public suitably informed in a 21st-century world.

  • Smartphones & Tablets Go Hand & Hand With TV

    Nielsen just released the results of their study on smartphones and tablets and how often we use them in conjunction with television watching. They looked at users behavior in the US, UK, Germany, and Italy. I think what they found, is what you might guess.

    Of course the United States leads the pack for information overload. We frequently used our tablets or smartphones while we also viewed what was on the tube. Over a quarter of us, in both cases, served for other information while we watched TV. Not surprising with all the commercials.

    The UK wasn’t for behind us in almost every category. For the most part, Germany and Italy seemed to mirror each others behavior and staying connected while they watched television wasn’t as much of a priority. The same can be said for the United States and the United Kingdom. If you look at the percentages, they’re reasonably close except for the ‘never’ category.

    Take a look:

    I would imagine these numbers will continue to increase as smartphones and tablets grow in popularity. Smartphone usage has hit 50% in the Unites States and I’m sure that weighs heavy on our preferences in that category. It’s a fast paced world we live in. All the technology we have lets us multi-task like never before.

    I would guess these numbers will become harder to nail down as technology becomes more of an extension of who we are. In may cases, we don’t even realize we’re using several devices at once, and taking in several streams of information. It’s interesting research from the folks at Nielsen.

  • My Damn Channel CEO Rob Barnett Talks New YouTube Channel, Live Programming

    My Damn Channels has launched a new YouTube channel as part of the new YouTube original content rollout, along with a new live show called My Damn Channel Live. My Damn Channel Founder and CEO Rob Barnett (pictured here with writer/director/actor David Wain) tells WebProNews about the launch.

    Already being the biggest video site on the web, it’s very possible that YouTube will become known as one of the first places people go to watch content on their TV, as more and more consumers get rid of cable/satellite. The early channels could one day be looked upon with a sense of historical significance, similar to how we now view he early cable channels.

    “My Damn Channel LIVE is the first, daily, live comedy show from YouTube’s original channels, but we’re closing in on our 5th birthday and we first launched both on our site and on YouTube in 2007 , so our ‘history’ is already LONG in web years,” Barnett tells us. “The new live show feels similar to the early years of MTV but now technology hands us the possibility to create a new kind of television on the Internet.”

    It [the new live programming] means our audience gets to have a ton more fun than ever before,” he says. “We want our viewers to be part of our programming in every human, social and technical way possible. Since the show is online, we can react and change on the fly with the audience driving our staff and our host Beth Hoyt to play with them.”

    Hoyt will interview celebrity guests, interact with viewers in real-time and premiere videos from over 30 new My Damn Channel original comedy series. The show is live Monday through Friday from a new studio inside the company’s Hell’s Kitchen headquarters in New York.

    On how the new channel is better than the old My Damn Channel, Barnett tells us, “My Damn Channel LIVE gives us the chance to deliver a ton of new original video to our site and our YouTube channel every day. We’ll have great celebrity guests every week including talent from our other favorite YouTube channels. And on every show, we’ll also be premiering new episodes from more than 30 new My Damn Channel original comedy series. Also, Daily Grace has been one of the best stars on My Damn Channel for years and we’re making a major announcement next week about Grace, My Damn Channel and YouTube.”

    On what makes YouTube the ideal platform and separates it from other web video platforms, Barnett says, “We would not have launched our company as successfully back in ’07 without the backing of YouTube. Its platform, tech, size, and community give us the chance to paint a whole new picture about what TV can be.”

    As a David Wain fan from way back (The State days), I had to ask Barnett how much David Wain we can expect from the new channel.

    “As much as the law will allow,” he says. “We started My Damn Channel with episode #1 of Wainy Days and after 40 episodes, 5 years, 5 seasons we have no intention of stopping. David’s going to be one of our first special guests on our LIVE show and we’re going to announce a very cool promotion with David and Wainy Days for an event tied to the new Wainy Days DVD.”

  • “2 Broke Girls” Gets Harsh Parody Trailer (NSFW)

    Chances are you’ve either seen or have heard of the CBS comedy “2 Broke Girls”. Basically it’s the story of two friends who are trying to make enough money to realize their dreams. Below is the official synopsis of the show:

    2 BROKE GIRLS is a comedy about two young women waitressing at a greasy spoon diner who strike up an unlikely friendship in the hopes of launching a successful business – if only they can raise the cash. Sassy, streetwise Max Black works two jobs just to get by, one of which is waiting tables during the night shift at the retro-hip Williamsburg Diner. Sophisticated Caroline Channing is an uptown trust fund princess who’s having a run of bad luck that forces her to reluctantly give waitressing a shot. At first, Max sees Caroline as yet another in a long line of inept servers she must cover for, but she’s surprised to find that Caroline has as much substance as she does style. When Caroline discovers Max’s knack for baking amazing cupcakes, she sees a lucrative future for them, but first they need to raise the start-up money. While they save their tips, they’ll stay at the restaurant, working with Oleg, an overly flirtatious Russian cook; Earl, a 75-year-old kool-kat cashier; and Han Lee, the new, eager-to-please owner of the diner. Working together, these two broke girls living in one expensive city might just find the perfect recipe for their big break.

    The show has caught flak for sometime now due to a variety of things, ranging from stereotypes to offensive jokes. With this in mind a parody trailer has been created, and it goes after the show, and its creator hard.

    It begins with, “Are you really fucking stupid?” and just goes from there. It brings to light what type of television audience this show goes after and doesn’t pull any punches. Check it out for yourself below:

    What did you think of the parody trailer? Do you have any problems with “2 Broke Girls”?

  • Walking Dead Finale Teased Out By Producer

    The Walking Dead may be one of the biggest pop culture phenomenons to ever grace our televisions. It took the usual campy subject of zombies and made it into something with more bite. With the finale airing tonight, fans are wondering what’s going happen to their favorite characters.

    E! Online is reporting that producer Glen Mazzara told a group of reporters during a conference call, “We’re on a good killing spree right now,” in regards to what’s going to happen during tonight’s finale. This pretty much confirms that somebody is going to die, but who? Mazzara was tight lipped, but he did confirm a few things. He first said that “there will be bloodshed.” He said that the characters are never safe, and that the writing team has considered killing off every character in some way.

    In what may make some fans angry, he confirmed that the finale tonight will end in a cliffhanger. The team wants to set up stories tonight that will continue onto season three. He does say that viewers will be asking “good questions” after the finale is over. I’m sure a few fans are still going to throw their TVs out the window in protest of the cliffhanger

    In regards to Lori, the pregnant character in the series, Mazzara said that they would kill her off if it “propels the story forward.” He says that nothing is over the line for them, even killing a pregnant woman. Mazzara also says that the show is going to focus more on Rick and his responsibility as the leader.

    The Walking Dead finale airs tonight at 9 p.m. on AMC. Check out the trailer and give us your predictions:

  • Jesus Appears To Woman In Florida During The Bachelor

    Jesus gets around a lot these days. So much to do and so little time for the Son of God, but he at least took a little time out this week to catch up on The Bachelor.

    10 News, a Tampa Bay CBS News affiliate, reported on Guerda Maurice, a Port St. Lucie resident who claims to have taken a picture of Jesus praying in her TV. The miraculous image appeared on a photo she took on her television during the climactic ending to The Bachelor.

    The story goes that Maurice was watching The Bachelor and decided to record an image she saw. The phone immediately stopped working, obviously the work of divine intervention, but restarted the next day to reveal to her that her faith had been rewarded. Jesus Christ, in all of his distorted glory, appeared before her over the image she took.

    Check out the original report here and see for yourself:

    This isn’t the first time Jesus has been spotted. He and his posse appear on everything they can possibly be burnt or impressed into. Take for example the man who found Jesus on a stripped wall or the woman who found the Virgin Mary on a piece of toast.

    Just a quick look on YouTube for “Jesus Sightings” returns more results than searching for “UFO Sightings.” Obviously, Jesus Christ is more popular than extraterrestrials.

    Buzzfeed has a collection of the most famous Jesus sightings from around the world. My personal favorite is the Cheeto. I’m glad the King of Kings likes my favorite snack enough to become one himself. I’m sure it was extra delicious.

    (image)

    I guess this is all to say that Harold Camping wasn’t so much wrong about the date of the Rapture, it was that Jesus was too busy making cameo appearances in Cheetos and TVs that he forget his own show.

    Where do you think Jesus is going to show up next? Have you see the Son of Man show up anywhere recently? Let us know in the comments.

    [Lead image: 10 News]

  • Cee Lo Green’s Cat Purrfect, Latest TV Star, 34,000 Twitter Followers

    There’s plenty of C-B star power on The Voice, but there’s one feline who’s becoming the breakout sensation and her name is ‘Purrfect’. Showing up in Cee Lo’s lap like a new version of Dr. Evil, Purrfect has captured the attention of The Voice viewers.

    (image)

    Purrfect was introduced in this promo video, with the cat seeing its debut in the show following the Superbowl.

    As with all new celebrities, a Twitter account followed soon after. You can follow Purrfect here, @PurrfectTheCat. Where you’ll be privy to these gems…

    (image)@PurrfectTheCat
    Purrfect The Cat    I’d outnap Orlando Napier. #battles RT @NBCTheVoice: If YOU could battle any #TheVoice Artist, who would it be/which song would you choose?(image) 23 hours ago via TweetDeck ·  Reply ·  Retweet ·  Favorite · powered by @socialditto

    (image)@PurrfectTheCat
    Purrfect The Cat    Wai you want my kttenz? :0/ RT @brookehurdley @PurrfectTheCat i only watch the voice to see you. Your the star of the show #iwantyourkittens(image) 1 day ago via TweetDeck ·  Reply ·  Retweet ·  Favorite · powered by @socialditto

    (image)@PurrfectTheCat
    Purrfect The Cat    Happy #Caturday =^..^=(image) 2 days ago via TweetDeck ·  Reply ·  Retweet ·  Favorite · powered by @socialditto

    (image)@PurrfectTheCat
    Purrfect The Cat    @amywada One cannot purr into purring. Kitteh must learn to meow, furst. =^..^=(image) 4 days ago via web ·  Reply ·  Retweet ·  Favorite · powered by @socialditto

  • Game of Thrones Season 2 Trailer: “The More You Love”

    We’re less than a month away from the second season premiere of HBO’s Game of Thrones. To help build anticipation for the show, a new trailer has been released online. “The More You Love” highlights some of the many plot twists that will take place in Westeros during the second season of the show. Check out the trailer for yourself below:

    For those of you not familiar with the show, below is a brief synopsis:

    Summers span decades. Winters can last a lifetime. And the struggle for the Iron Throne has begun.

    It will stretch from the south, where heat breeds plots, lust and intrigues; to the vast and savage eastern lands; all the way to the frozen north, where an 800-foot wall of ice protects the kingdom from the dark forces that lie beyond. Kings and queens, knights and renegades, liars, lords and honest men…all will play the Game of Thrones.

    Game of Thrones season 2 premieres on HBO on April 1, 2012.

  • Netflix “Just For Kids” Offers Safe Programming On PS3

    Netflix has made quite a name for itself–despite some rocky patches, as an easy, convenient way to watch television shows and movies from home, and in the past few years they have made attempts at being even more user-friendly with their streaming service, which allows a viewer to get their entertainment directly through game devices and the internet. While some subscribers have issues with the latest changes, as reported earlier, many find it extremely easy to use.

    Unfortunately, this also means more concern for parents as to what their children have access to. Parental controls allow for some safeguards, but a new section unveiled by the company in 2011 called “Netflix Just For Kids” created a completely safe and child-friendly environment without the use of parental controls. And today they announced that the program is available not only through Nintendo Wii, Apple TV, and their own website, but also on PS3.

    Since the program was launched last August, more than one billion hours of children’s programming has been viewed, and when you consider that those are all commercial-free hours, that number seems even bigger. Filled with popular Nickelodeon shows as well as old-school cartoons from the ’90s, PBS programs, and Disney shows, the “Just For Kids” channel of Netflix is as much fun for parents as it is for kids, especially since there’s no violence, nudity, language, or any of the other questionable things cable television offers.

    Netflix reported last October that over half of all streams are of television shows rather than movies, and the latest innovations in streaming have probably helped that number along as children use their gaming systems to watch their favorite television shows.

  • A+E Networks And thePlatform Team Up For Mobile Video Content

    You might have never heard of thePlatform, but you’ve certainly heard of the A+E Networks family of channels including, of course, A&E but other channels like Lifetime and History. The two companies have teamed up to expand its programming to more people.

    In a company blog post, thePlatform announced the partnership that will see A+E Networks leveraging the company’s “video management system” to “consolidate [their] video workflow into one system.” John Cool, VP of Digital Media Technology at A+E Networks says that the partnership will help the network “reach new screens and outlets.”

    The company will be using thePlatform’s mpx software to manage their video content. It contains a lot of features that will help A+E Networks expand their presence online. The biggest bonus to the software is that it allows them to easily publish videos to PCs, Macs, smartphones and tablets.

    A&E already allows users to watch full episodes of their programming online. By utlizing mpx, it seems that the network will expanding their reach to mobile and beyond. This is nothing but good news for people who want to watch Hoarders or Storage Wars on their lunch break.

    A+E Networks will be implementing mpx for BIO, History, A&E and Lifetime for now. The other channels owned by the network will get the support later down the road.

    More and more channels are adding the option of online and mobile streaming so A&E is in good company. Before you know it, all your television content will be available for streaming.

  • Netflix Transitioning To Television

    Netflix Transitioning To Television

    More than half of all Netflix viewing is now television. The company known best for featuring feature films is becoming an Internet streaming service for television shows. For over a year, Netflix has been bulking up on old TV shows in an effort to challenge HBO. Home Box Office had been threatening Netflix lately with the success of streaming their own original shows. Netflix’s Chief Executive, Reed Hastings said the company would try a couple of dozen original shows instead of reruns, shadowing the HBO model.

    Thanks to the shift in focus and strategy to Television, the company has been able to retain about 21.7 million streaming subscribers in the U.S. That’s roughly one in four households with broadband. For Netflix, the transition to television has been very successful over the past year, especially with the recent loss of movie titles from Starz. The new release movies provided by Starz, account for only two percent of all viewing on Netflix. The company has spent a large amount of its budget on new streaming titles that subscribers have requested.

    @MojaveDan
    Dan Harley    #internet The Internet Was Made for Television – Netflix doesn’t have to sweat losing its big Starz Play movie libra… http://t.co/uZR67Lh4 3 hours ago via HootSuite ·  Reply ·  Retweet ·  Favorite · powered by @socialditto

    Many of the new titles are full seasons of TV series including “Mad Men,” “Breaking Bad” and “Lost.” The move to TV reruns was caused by the tightening up of titles from the major movie studios. The movie moguls fear the power and popularity of Netflix and in an attempt to slow its growth, have raised prices for films and shows. “The company is being forced into offering more (older) TV content because it’s cheaper,” said Managing Director, Youssef H. Squali.

    “The conversation in the media world is, the content’s terrible, yet the average subscriber is devouring over an hour a day, every single day. Obviously they don’t think it’s horrible,” adds analyst Richard Greenfield. Netflix won’t say what proportion of their total viewing is made up from TV episodes but its executives put the number at fifty to sixty percent last fall. Mr. Greenfield suspects the number to be closer to eighty percent according to a recent New York Times article. Either way, its a pretty big win for Television and viewers.

  • Social Networking Drives TV Ratings

    According to a TV Guide user study, social networking discussion about television shows drives tune-in, loyalty and live viewing ratings. Due to social network impressions, 17% of respondents polled said they became a fan of a particular show, and 31% claimed they continued to watch a program. Twenty seven percent said that they watch more live programming to avoid internet spoilers, up from 20% in 2010. TV Guide queried from it’s over 24 million monthly users.

    Some more detail on the analysis of the user-survey –

    Those who claimed a social networking impression prompted them to begin watching a show cited reasons being that people had good things to say about it (76%), topics were interesting (64%) and 13% claimed that they just like to watch shows that others are watching. When asked about why they were continuing to watch a particular show, 77% said that social networking impressions helped maintain their interest, 66% cited topics and storylines again and 34% mentioned controversial moments.

    The complete results of the survey conducted in February will be presented by TVGuide.com at Hill Holliday’s TVnext Summit in Boston on Monday. TV Guide has stated that their findings came from the survey of 3,041 users.

    Somewhat on-topic – in France, one can’t even mention the words “Facebook” or “Twitter” in a TV show.

  • Mad Men Season 5 Poster: Don Draper And A Naked Mannequin

    Mad Men Season 5 Poster: Don Draper And A Naked Mannequin

    Don Draper is back. Well, almost… as Mad Men returns with a two-hour premiere on March 25th.

    To make sure that you’ve got plenty to obsess and ponder over until then, AMC released the official season 5 poster today. The poster features Don Draper (Jon Hamm) staring at a reflection of himself and two mannequins in a store window, one of which is naked. The poster itself doesn’t really mean anything at the moment, but Mad Men creator, Matthew Weiner, told The New York Times, “by the end of the season, I guarantee you’ll know what it is about.”

    Check out the poster for yourself below.

    Mad Men Season 5 Poster

    As a bonus we’ve included a couple of teaser posters for season 5, enjoy.

    Pete is back:

    Betty is back:

    Joan is back:

    Mad Men season 5 debuts with a special two-hour premiere on Sunday March 25.

  • Aereo Will Let You Stream Live TV To Your Phone, Tablet Or PC

    Aereo is a new service launching next month, that could be another step in the greater cord cutting trend. It lets you stream local broadcast channels to your mobile device, tablet or PC. It’s starting out in New York, but one would expect it to expand.

    Here’s the company’s stated mission:

    One day, a group of brilliant engineers at Aereo created a new species of antenna. Just the size of a thumbnail, this small but mighty creature captured the hearts of New York City airwaves and became accessible to us through the Internet. We combined these antennas with a beautiful interface for what became a perfect marriage. A match made in heaven… Well, maybe not heaven, but close: the New York City Skyline. Your Broadcast is live, DVR is on board. Our launch crew has developed a better way for you to be entertained… So take a deep breath – no more gasping for air. We have your Aereo supply.

    “Our vision is simple; we are trying to simplify,” the company says. “TV at the moment is complicated. Between the lackluster technology and the lack of choice and portability there is room for improvement. So, we’re making our television experience simple. We’re breaking free from clutter and complication, wires and boxes, and useless gadgetry. TV comprises an essential part of our cultural heritage. We enjoy waking up to the morning news – it’s habitual. We love our dramas, our live sports, and ending our day with uplifting sitcoms. TV is a tradition, an escape and a source of comfort. TV is important to our lives so it must function well. We’re providing a new technology that enables choice and freedom. Your life is on your own terms. TV should be as well. It’s that simple.”

    When a user signs up for the service, they are assigned an antenna to watch TV on their mobile devices. An account is needed, which can even be set up using existing Facebook or Twitter IDs. “There is no downloading necessary,” the company says. “No apps, no cords, no clutter, no fuss. Sign in from your computer, tablet, or phone. You can even stream on your big TV. Enjoy live programming or record your favorite shows. That’s it.”

    Sounds pretty good.

    Here’s a demo:

    Right now, you have to request an invitation. And, as mentioned above, it’s only for New York City at this point.

    It costs $12 a month for 27 channels (including local).

  • Able Remote Lets You Control Google TV With Your Voice

    A new Android app called Able Remote lets you operate Google TV using voice commands.

    “Able Remote turns your Android smartphone or tablet into a remote control for your Google TV,” says Leon Nicholls, the app’s creator, “Just as you can customize your phone with apps, Able Remote lets you create your own remote button layout and in your favorite color too. Now you can use easy voice commands or intuitive swiping gestures to control your TV. You can also create one-touch buttons to quickly launch Google TV apps, bring up favorite web sites or switch to your TV channels.”

    Clearly, the app has Google’s endorsement, as the above statement comes from a guest post on the official Google TV blog.

    “It’s so convenient to take photos with your smartphone, but what if you want to show your friends and family when they come to visit? Just beam it to your TV so everybody can see,” says Nicholls. “Took a video with your phone that you want to look at on a bigger screen? Just beam that to your TV too.”

    It will also send caller ID and text messages as notifications to your TV screen while you’re watching something else.

    Here’s the full feature list from Android Market:

    – TV Touch navigation
    – Touch play controls
    – View photos and videos from your device on Google TV
    – Share web pages with the TV
    – Customize buttons (paid feature)
    – Launch your favorite apps
    – Jump to your favorite TV channels
    – View SMS, Caller ID and app notifications on your TV
    – Voice commands
    – Single button power on/off all devices
    – Control your TV, set-top box, audio receiver and Blu-ray player
    – Create macros that combine device, app and channel actions
    – Change the user interface color
    – Web bookmarks
    – Spotlight web apps

  • Watch the Grammy Awards Backstage Live on the iPad or iPhone

    Download a free app for your iPad or iPhone and you can watch backstage action while you watch the live Grammy Awards on CBS TV. With this app or by watching on the Grammy Live website, the 54th Grammy Awards become a multi-screen experience.

    Learn more about downloading the Grammy Live app here …

    Here is how the Grammy Live site describes its new live stream:

    Tune in to Music’s Biggest Night like you never have before with an exciting “multi-screen experience” — as you watch the 54th GRAMMY Awards on CBS, keep the GRAMMY Live stream on your mobile device, tablet or computer! Don’t miss a set change with our behind-the-scenes load-in cam! And learn what happens AFTER an artist wins a GRAMMY with our official portrait photographer cam featuring renowned photographer Danny Clinch, live one-on-one interview room and full access to the official TV/radio room.

    Following the Grammy Award telecast on CBS you can join the after parties via the app according to the Grammy Live website:

    Bask in the aftermath of Music’s Biggest Night as GRAMMY Live gives you a first-class ticket to the hottest after-party in town, the GRAMMY Celebration.

    The Grammy mobile app, includes the latest photos, videos, news, trivia and quite a bit more.

    Additionally, the Grammy telecast will include tributes to Whitney Houston who died yesterday.