Social TV: friend or foe to advertisers? Study reveals answer

Social TV is showing up on conference agendas faster than you can tweet “Can you believe he got voted off the show?” Some advertisers and TV networks are concerned that viewers that constantly use their mobile devices or computers while watching shows may see less of the actual shows. They shouldn’t worry, a new study […]

Social TV is showing up on conference agendas faster than you can tweet “Can you believe he got voted off the show?”

Some advertisers and TV networks are concerned that viewers that constantly use their mobile devices or computers while watching shows may see less of the actual shows.

They shouldn’t worry, a new study suggests.

Interacting with social media on a second screen makes viewers more engaged in programming than if they were watching alone without social media, according to the study by Time Warner Research Council. Instead of distracting viewers, it merely augments the way that they view TV.

It’s true that connected devices are increasingly crowding the viewing experience. “Normally I watch TV with my roommates,” said one study participant. “We all have our laptops, our cell phones out, and we’ll just talk about what’s going on the TV, and then we’re tweeting.”

“We’re always on our electronics,” he added.

But all that may actually be helping viewers maintain their focus. “The most important overall finding is to understand that people use media to optimize their levels of interest and excitement,” said Jack Wakshlag, chief research officer at Turner Broadcasting, a Time Warner unit that collaborated with the research council, sibling Warner Bros. and the research companies Innerscope and Ipsos.

“When they find something engaging on the TV, they pay attention. When their interest wanes, in the absence of a second screen they could change the channel, get up, read a magazine, etc. With a second screen that allows live social engagement, they have more reason to stay on-channel with their friend.”

The researchers used biometric monitoring and eye tracking to gauge 126 Millennial viewers’ engagement with episodes of Conan and TMZ as they participated in varying levels of social behaviour. They found that viewer engagement levels while watching with a friend or connecting with a friend over social media were 1.3 times higher than for people watching alone and not using social media. Engagement among those using co-viewing apps, designed to deliver content and allow conversation in sync with the program, proved 1.2 times more engaged than those viewing alone without a social app.

“I would be less into a show if someone took away all my social media,” said one female participant, “because you wouldn’t have somebody else to share that with and get them involved into it.”

Even when viewers turn to social media during commercials, the study suggested that they still pay attention to the TV — sometimes more than they think. Eye-tracking results revealed that viewers responded to audio cues, for example, both on the shows and during commercial breaks.

Viewers also seemed to appreciate brands that associated themselves with the second-screen experience, such as AT&T, which sponsored a Team Coco app to use while watching Conan. A post-study survey showed that AT&T’s brand favourability among those that used the app was 33% higher than those who didn’t use it.

To read the original article in Advertising Age, click here.

Media Articles

30 Under 30 is back with a new name, new outlook

No more age limit! The New Establishment brings 30 Under 30 in a new direction, starting with media professionals.

As Prime Minister, Kellie Leitch would scrap CBC

Tory leadership hopefuls are outlining their views on national broadcaster's future

‘Your Morning’ embarks on first travel partnership

Sponsored giveaway supported by social posts directed at female-skewing audience

KitchenAid embraces social for breast cancer campaign

Annual charitable campaign taps influencers and the social web for the first time

Netflix debates contributions with Canadian Heritage

Netflix remains wary of regulation as some tout 'Anne' and 'Alias Grace' partnerships

Canadians warm up to social commerce

PayPal and Ipsos research shows "Shop Now" buttons are gaining traction

Online ad exchange AppNexus cuts off Breitbart

Popular online ad exchange bans site for violating hate speech policy

Robert Jenkyn is back at Media Experts

Former Microsoft and Globe and Mail exec returns to the agency world

2016 Media Innovation Awards: The complete winners list

All the winning agencies from media's biggest night out!