Social Media and Television in Harmony

In the entertainment industry today, social media and television are interlinked. Social media involves peer to peer networking and information sharing. Popular social media sites include Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, and LinkedIn. Many of these social media platforms have millions of subscribers and knowledge gets swapped from one person to another instantaneously. While Internet usage has increased, and television viewership has decreased in recent years, many television networks are incorporating social media to their platforms to increase program ratings and keep up with 21st century demands.

Television executives began implementing the use of social media in its programs because people have become more involved and more entertained because of the higher levels of interaction and engagement. It has also been useful for spreading updates and gossip instantaneously.

Thanks to the data that executives have collected through social media, television networks can now target their viewers better. Like many other entities, major networks are jumping on the social media bandwagon to understand how they can continue utilizing social media monitoring tools to make a profit.

News networks particularly use social media to measure their viewers’ reaction through technological analysis. They realize how powerful social media is because it has been coupled with smartphone technology. It has been helpful for gathering information about news and spreading the word about different events.

Other television networks use social media to create excitement during key moments of a show. Some networks encourage their lead actors and actresses to promote themselves using social media because it attracts more viewers, which in turn may lead to more revenue for companies who advertise on these networks.

Some cable companies are cashing into this latest technology by creating interactive networks. Their remote controls allow its users to log in to their social media accounts remotely while they are watching television. So, viewers are logged in while they are channel surfing. With a touch of a button, many can update what they are watching on sites such as Twitter or Facebook. The only risk the viewer has is risking their privacy when they are typing their user ids and passwords onto a television monitor. Viewers should be aware of who is around them should it become an issue.

While social media and television currently exist in harmony, trial and error with programming and technology will continue to expose benefits, pitfalls, and gray areas. Viewers of all ages are enjoying what both offer.