The UK’s autumn TV Season is now well underway and many of the biggest shows are using Twitter to bring audiences closer to the action.
Twitter and TV go hand in hand, and viewers love to tweet about big moments as they unfold in real time. Broadcasters are increasingly embracing these live conversations to directly engage with, and grow, their audiences. Here are a few programmes taking advantage of Twitter as a live, public and conversational platform:
The Face
Sky Living’s new reality modelling competition, The Face (@TheFace), is all about image. The focus is not just on the catwalk or photoshoot, however; it is also on Twitter.
Led by supermodels Naomi Campbell (@NaomiCampbell), Erin O’Connor (@Erin_O_Connor) and Caroline Winberg (@CarolineWinberg), The Face invites viewers at home to declare allegiance to one model via Twitter.
Viewers can tweet a selfie with their team of choice, such as #TeamNaomi, to be included on the Sky Living ‘model wall’, with a chance to win an all expenses trip to London.
Twitter also provides the social soundtrack to the show, as the supermodels share their thoughts and emotions:
#TeamCaroline have no discipline. Far too much laughing and joking. Not professional at all. @TheFace UK.
— Naomi Campbell ( @NaomiCampbell) October 28, 2013
.@carolinewinberg @TheFace you must be kidding Darling #TeamNaomi RULES !
— Naomi Campbell ( @NaomiCampbell) October 28, 2013
The official show account, @TheFace, does a great job capturing the unique moments of character and drama:
Oh no, more fireworks on #TeamNaomi?! #TheFace pic.twitter.com/yJgjc1upZr
— The Face ( @TheFace) October 7, 2013
The Face has emerged as a great example of how to maximise audience interaction through Twitter, by pursuing an exciting format that focuses on the team mentality element.
Downton Abbey
The biggest drama in town this autumn is ITV’s Downton Abbey (@DowntonAbbey). The show has become a phenomenon, attracting a global audience who engage with Downton through Twitter.
#DowntonBingo encourages viewers to enjoy the lighter side of the show with this play-along feature:
Are you preparing for your #DowntonNight to start? Don’t forget your #DowntonBingo card! #Downton pic.twitter.com/sHxUWRoX4Q
— Downton Abbey ( @DowntonAbbey) October 27, 2013
And after every Sunday night programme, @DowntonAbbey hosts a Twitter Q&A with a cast member:
Dear friends, do send us your questions for @IamGaryCarr, who will be joining us for a #DowntonQA on Sunday! pic.twitter.com/zsP3f1mybj
— Downton Abbey ( @DowntonAbbey) October 11, 2013
Was it Something I Said?
The launch of Channel Four’s Was It Something I Said? (@SomethingISaid), brings a live tweet-along aspect to comedy panel shows. As detailed in the UK Blog, this is a recorded show that will push quotation-based questions into Twitter to promote audience interaction.
The game is played using Twitter Cards that host pictures that carry the questions and hashtags to use in your answers:
Q2. Do you think it was Rupert #Murdoch2, Lady #Gaga2 or Idi #Amin2 that said this? Reply with the correct hashtag. pic.twitter.com/RbiNDTQheW
— WasItSomethingISaid? ( @somethingIsaid) October 11, 2013
At the end of the show you receive a score by submitting your user name to the Was It Something I Said? website, where you also receive a reward in the form of a personalised response video or exclusive, unseen footage.
The X Factor
ITV’s The X Factor (@TheXFactor) remains one of the most tweeted about shows in the UK, from the auditions through to live shows. And this year more than ever Twitter has been a part of The X Factor DNA, providing a second screen to the drama of the main show.
Fans are able to interact directly with the stars through live Twitter takeovers. Moments after seeing Hannah Barrett (@HannahBMusic) progress from auditions to bootcamp, users had the chance to question her:
Hannah Barrett @HannahLevine_ox is here for a Twitter takever. Send us your questions now with #askhannah pic.twitter.com/XpruEOfYqJ
— The X Factor ( @TheXFactor) August 31, 2013
During the live shows, Twitter connects the audience on the sofa directly to judges and contestants, as they react to performances and share unseen backstage moments:
Tamera hunny you deserve a trophy just for getting up on that piano and singing your face off
— Nicole Scherzinger ( @NicoleScherzy) October 26, 2013
#TXFSigns @Danarazzi… for winning #QUICKFIRE before anyone else every damn time, here’s @KingslandRd. #XFactor pic.twitter.com/EoOUSpen4j
— The X Factor ( @TheXFactor) October 27, 2013
In the dressing room at @TheXFactor with @KellyOsbourne…which shoes shall I wear tonight? #XFactor pic.twitter.com/lhwkiWuFjZ
— Sharon Osbourne ( @MrsSOsbourne) October 12, 2013
Strictly Come Dancing
BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing (@bbcstrictly) uses Twitter as a hub of social conversation throughout the series. Before the live shows even began, news of celebrity contestants was officially broken on Twitter.
Rachel Riley (@RachelRileyRR) announced her presence in true Countdown style:
Welcome the lovely @RachelRileyRR to Strictly! Our next consonant… sorry contestant on the show! #scd3013 pic.twitter.com/apz19sBYy1
— BBC Strictly ( @bbcstrictly) August 31, 2013
There was also a Twitter Mirror at the Strictly Come Dancing red carpet event, tweeting glamorous shots of personalities such as Deborah Meaden (@deborahmeaden) and Sophie Ellis-Bextor (@SophieEB):
Live from the #SCDRedCarpet with @SophieEB and @Ashoztd #TwitterMirror pic.twitter.com/KPNh2j5fDb
— BBC Strictly ( @bbcstrictly) September 3, 2013
Glamorous duo live from the #SCDRedCarpet w/ @rachelrileyrr @deborahmeaden #TwitterMirror pic.twitter.com/QsOgVbzBhg
— BBC Strictly ( @bbcstrictly) September 3, 2013
Whether it’s playing along, joining a team or sharing the biggest moments in the biggest shows, UK TV producers and broadcasters are constantly innovating on Twitter to drive viewer engagement and bring audiences closer.
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