TORONTO – CBC has become the first Canadian broadcaster to partner with Facebook to utilize its new tools for broadcast media outlets.
The Corp said Thursday that it will incorporate Facebook's Keyword Insights API and Public Feed API into its primetime skating competition series Battle Of The Blades. The integration involves using the Facebook data to show audience support for individual competitors on a map of Canada, during the show.
Pictures and videos from fans on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram have also been incorporated into the programming. CBC said this integration is unique given it is part of the set of the show itself; becoming a natural part of the story and allowing competitors and the audience to engage with it accordingly.
“With over 12 million Canadians active on Facebook every single day, utilizing Facebook’s new tools for broadcast media is a natural step in our goal to more deeply connect Canadians with each other and the moments we bring into living-rooms across the country,” said Neil McEneaney, interim vice president, CBC English services, in the announcement.
"In the old days, people would gather around the office water cooler to discuss what they watched on TV the night before. Today the water cooler is online, and on Facebook,” added Dan Rose, Facebook’s VP partnerships. “We’re focused on building tools and partnerships to better connect people with the TV programming they love, and we’re excited to continue expanding our partnerships around the world to support this effort."
