MUMBAI: Social media act as a multiplier for TV consumption amongst TV viewers. That?s one of the findings of a multi-country study conducted by the Us-hqed Viacom and its Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) division. Titled "When Networks Network: TV Gets Social," it attempted to investigate the relationship between TV and social media usage.

The findings uncovered three key types of motivations leading fans to engage in TV-related social media activities: Functional, Communal and Playful.
 
Users entered their media consumption habits in social media diaries in the US, online community studies were conducted in the US, UK and Germany and were supported by online surveys in the US, UK, Germany, Brazil and Russia with more than 5,000 Viacom viewers aged 13-49 who use two or more social media platforms on at least a weekly basis.

"Our objective with this research was not only to understand what drives our audiences to social media, but also to see how their social media activity impacts viewing behaviors," said Viacom Media Networks executive vice-president and chief research officer Colleen Fahey Rush. "At Viacom, we?re focused on creating social experiences that continue the conversation off-screen and deepen the relationships between our fans and their favorite shows and characters."

The research revealed that TV viewers engage in an average of 10 TV-related activities on social media platforms on a weekly basis, including: interacting with friends and fans (72 per cent); following/liking a TV show (57 per cent); sharing or recommending (61 per cent); watching full clips and trailers (61 per cent); searching for info and show schedules (66 per cent); and gaming or signing up for freebies (49 per cent).

Out of 24 social media activities tracked, three distinct types of motivations for TV-related social media use emerged: Functional (searching for show schedules, news, exclusives); Communal (personal branding, connecting with others); and Playful (gaming, entering contests).

Of the countries included in the study, Viacom found that viewers in Brazil embrace TV-related social media activities the most frequently, while those in Germany are the least likely to do so.

Functional: Information Above All

Function trumps all other motivating factors, including socializing, when it comes to TV-related social media use, the study revealed. This is true of all the countries in the study, with viewers in Germany leaning the most towards the functional motivations. Viewers are more interested in the experiences and content offered by networks and TV shows than communicating with others on social media. They use social media sites to:

? stay informed about air dates and times (44 per cent);

? keep up with the latest show news (45 per cent); and

? access exclusive show info (37 per cent), video (36 per cent) and plot clues (36 per cent).

Functional motives are stronger for teens and young adults. Viewers aged 13-17 are most likely to use social media to search for show schedules and exclusive videos, while those between the ages of 18 and 24 are most likely to search for the latest show news and to access spoilers.

"We found it intriguing that TV-related social media behaviors and motivating factors were consistent across all five countries that we looked at in this study," said VIMN vice-president of research insight and reporting Christian Kurz. "Globally, social media is becoming today?s version of a TV guide for viewers ? it is really how they prefer to get their information about the shows they watch."

Communal: The Value of a Facebook ?Like? or a Twitter ?Follower?

Communal factors are the second most common reason for engaging in TV-related social media use, the Viacom study revealed. Viewers reported using social media to brand themselves and share taste (34 per cent); to connect with the show (28 per cent); and to connect with other fans (28 per cent).

One way viewers satisfy their communal motivation is by "liking" a show on Facebook or "following" on Twitter. Viacom?s research has uncovered the long-questioned value of such Facebook "likes" or Twitter "follows" when it comes to TV. After "liking" or "following" a show, viewers were a full 75% more likely to watch that show.

Viewers also watch more in an average of three different ways (live, stream, reruns), and engage more with TV shows and channels on digital platforms:

? 41 per cent access its social media more

? 39 per cent visit show/channel site more often

? 27 per cent are more likely download related apps

"Liking" or "following" also satisfies functional motivations by providing show schedules and updates.

Playful: Social TV Games Matter

Third, playful experiences drive TV-related social media activities, including playing for rewards (24 per cent to get freebies or enter contests) or playing games (25 per cent games; 24 per cent quizzes/polls).

? Over 30 per cent play TV show-related social media games on a weekly basis.

? Of the social gamers who watch a TV show and play the related game, about 75 per cent play off-season.

? TV-related gaming is a persistent touch-point and a way to connect year-round with viewers.

Social media games help drive viewership, with around 30 per cent of respondents having gamed before ever watching a show. About half reported watching a show more due to the show?s social media game. Game shows, comedy and reality shows come in as the top genres for gaming.

Social Media and Show Discovery

Social media ranked third (39 per cent) as a source of show discovery, behind promos (54 per cent) and word of mouth (50 per cent). The exception is Brazil, where social media ranked even higher as a source of show discovery, second only to TV promos.

The research revealed that social media-fueled show discovery uniquely and positively impacts live tune-in, with viewers significantly more likely to watch a show premiere on live TV when that show is discovered via social media.

? 70 per cent are likely to watch the live debut of a show that was discovered on social media, versus 48 per cent live if it was discovered elsewhere.

? 41 per cent are likely to watch a show live past its first season if the show was discovered on social media, versus 28 per cent live if it was discovered elsewhere.

Drivers of live tune-in from social media include Facebook friend?s comment, a show?s post, or a friend "liking" the show.

MUMBAI: How did the ancient Romans build a city of a million people without modern technology? What prevents Dubai?s super tall skyscrapers - balanced on unstable sand - from toppling over? How can San Francisco survive - sitting on the edge of a major earthquake fault? Infotainment broadcaster Discovery has announced a new hybrid engineering-geology series ?Strip The City? looks to answer these questions by pulling apart six major metropolises to expose the hidden infrastructure beneath each city?s skin and solves key mysteries surrounding their origins, geology, archaeology, engineering, weather and industry.

The six part series kicks off on 18 May and will air every Saturday at 9.00 pm. The show took two-years to make and utilises over 130 minutes of computer-generated imagery (CGI) to break down each city, layer-by-layer, to reveal a geological universe normally hidden under water, tarmac and concrete. The show uses CGI animation and expedition-driven actuality reminiscent of the movie ?Inception?.
 
Every episode will home in on six iconic features of each city, ranging from man-made weatherproof skyscrapers and vast metro systems, to natural dunes and lakes. Viewers will be taken deeper into the city, bringing to light an alien landscape of underground volcanoes, hidden rivers, subterranean cliffs, fragile fault lines, and ancient catacombs - geological wonders that play a surprising role in the shaping of these cities and lives of the people above. Hear from leading engineers and geologists as they examine the ingenious designs, innovative technologies and teams of forward thinking professionals who are instrumental in keeping each city alive and well.

MUMBAI: Infotainment broadcaster Discovery has reported financial results for the first quarter ended 31 March 2013 which got a boost by the international networks. Revenues increased by seven per cent to $1.1 billion

Adjusted OIBDA decreased to $498 million (up eight per cent excluding licensing agreements and foreign currency). Net income increased by four per cent to $231 million

Discovery president and CEO David Zaslav said, "The significant operating momentum Discovery generated throughout 2012 continued unabated in the first quarter with more and more audiences around the globe viewing our unique programming.

"The sustained investment we have made in developing compelling content, along with the quality of our brands, translated into further market share gains, with record first quarter viewership at our domestic networks and 16 per cent audience growth across our international portfolio. As we continue to invest in the organic growth opportunities our diverse distribution platform provides, we have also completed several strategic acquisitions which we expect will further broaden our asset mix around the world and bolster our long-term growth prospects. 2013 is off to a great start and with continued focus on strong operating execution, we anticipate building on the financial success we have achieved over the last several years while delivering significant shareholder value."

First quarter revenues of $1.1 billion were up by $71 million, or seven per cent, compared to the first quarter a year ago, led by 17 per cent growth at International Networks and one per cent growth at US Networks which included the impact of additional licensing revenues in the prior year. OIBDA declined by two per cent to $498 million, as an eight per cent increase at International Networks was offset by a decrease of five per cent at US Networks due to the additional licensing revenue in last year?s quarter. Excluding the impact of licensing agreements and foreign currency, total company revenues increased by 12 per cent and adjusted OIBDA increased by eight per cent.

First quarter net income of $231 million increased by $10 million compared to $221 million for the first quarter a year ago, primarily due to the underlying operating performance in the current year?s quarter as well as a $92 million gain associated with the consolidation of Discovery Japan and $46 million of improved equity earnings, partially offset by higher taxes, increased mark-to-market equity-based compensation and $59 million of losses from hedging activities primarily associated with the acquisition of the SBS Nordic operations.

Free cash flow was $105 million for the first quarter, a decrease of $122 million from the first quarter of 2012, due to higher content investment as well as increased tax and long-term incentive compensation payments.

MUMBAI: A+E Networks|TV18 has elevated Sudheer K G to the post of vice president and head programming of its factual entertainment channel History TV18 with immediate effect. Till now he was vice president - programming for History TV18.

In his new role, Sudheer will oversee and drive the programming strategy for the channel and will endeavour to create a superlative advantage for History TV18 in the competitive factual genre television space.

He will report in to A+E Networks|TV18 programming head Ritu Kapur.

A+E Networks|TV18 president Ajay Chacko said, "With a career spanning over 15 years, Sudheer, with his vast experience in programming, scheduling, acquisitions and production has taken History TV18 to new heights. He is key role to the channel delivering the best viewing experience to its audiences."

Kapur added, "Sudheer has demonstrated immense skill and ability to constantly gauge shifting and fragmented audience tastes to create a programming lineup that is both attractive and appealing to our target audience. I am positive of his growth trajectory going forward. His keen and astute sense of the programming domain makes him a valuable asset to the team."

 Sudheer said, "I?ve had a great journey so far with exciting milestones and the opportunity to work with some of the brightest minds in the industry. Today?s constantly evolving media universe and consumption habits are going to be quite challenging and interesting. I am eagerly looking forward to my new role and responsibilities."

During his earlier tenure at Discovery Networks India Sudheer was instrumental in the programming and language initiatives of Discovery, Animal Planet and TLC.

MUMBAI: Factual entertainment network, Discovery Channel will launch ?Frozen Planet?, a series that will take viewers through the Earth?s polar regions. The show is a co-production between Discovery and UK pubcaster The BBC.

The series will air every Monday to Friday at 8 pm from 6 May. Narrated by naturalist Sir David Attenborough and featuring wildlife cinematography, the show has taken new technology to the most extreme and remote parts of the planet, capturing imagery above and below the ice.

Discovery South Asia senior VP and GM Rahul Johri said, "Frozen Planet is one of those captivating series which will showcase the splendour of the most intriguing and extreme places on our planet - the polar region. Viewers will be inspired by the breathtaking landscapes and will realise the efforts that go behind capturing such amazing moments."

The show will take viewers through polar landscapes, which most humans will never get to experience. This series brings to the screen the frozen habitat of the polar region for what could be the last time before global warming changes them forever.

The series will take viewers on a ride from deep under the frozen seas to a world of erupting polar volcanoes. It will travel to the South Pole across the Antarctic icecap - the largest concentration of ice on our planet. The programme retraces the steps of how life evolved under trying circumstances and is surviving against all odds.The show is sponsored by amul, samsung, nerolac and pulsar.