SAN FRANCISCO – Watchwith is partnering with Fox Broadcasting Company (Fox) to power a new syndication network that will distribute the broadcaster’s custom sync-to-broadcast experiences – currently available exclusively on its Fox Now app — to other second-screen TV app providers.
“Watchwith provides Fox with exactly what we’re looking for as a leading content rights holder: a platform for easy syndication of our companion content that allows us to retain ownership and control of the distribution,” said Hardie Tankersley, Vice President, Platforms & Innovation, Fox Broadcasting Company.
In addition to mobile and tablet second-screen environments, the network is designed to allow Fox to create, manage and syndicate content to the rapidly evolving industry of Smart TVs, Connected TVs and television service providers looking to increase audience engagement. Fox is currently in discussions with such providers and plans to announce additional partners soon.
The partners say the announcement heralds the beginning of the next generation of second-screen TV business and signifies Fox’s industry-leading recognition of the need for content owners to create, syndicate, and monetize value added sync-to-broadcast programming for the second-screen and beyond. Fox’s sync-to-broadcast initiative takes the second-screen experience beyond social TV, and digital content syndication via Watchwith provides a clear path to scale on the second-screen for Fox and their partners.
“Fox is opening up new beachfront property on the second-screen for their most popular shows.” said Zane Vella, Watchwith CEO. “This groundbreaking Fox agreement, in addition to our long term platform-as-a-service agreements with NBC, USA Network, Bravo, and Syfy, signals an important step toward an industry standard solution for both programmers and advertisers.”
The new service allows Fox partners to take advantage of Fox’s companion content and ensures that fans can enjoy a premium, cohesive Fox digital content and advertising experience across multiple TV apps and platforms. Earlier today Fox announced their new digital content syndication network launch partners, Shazam, Viggle, ConnecTV and NextGuide, will feature Fox Now sync-to-broadcast content within their multi-platform environments.
“Just like in the broadcast business, where the programmers create the content and service providers deliver the eyeballs, Watchwith’s role with Fox enables NextGuide to innovate on the consumer experience and deliver the eyeballs to Fox.” said Jeremy Toeman, CEO of Dijit Media.
“The success of SocialTV is about making it simple for programmers and brands to engage their consumers in innovative ways – creating a “gotta have it” experience for television viewers.” said Stacy Jolna, Co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer at ConnecTV. “This unique collaboration between ConnecTV, Fox and Watchwith is a critical beginning as we forge the future of television together.”
