Vizrt and never.no to Demo Synchronized Companion App Framework for Second Screens at IBC

Sept. 6, 2011 - PRLog -- Bergen, Norway, Vizrt Ltd. (Oslo Main List: VIZ). As broadcasting migrates from its linear roots to an interactive, multi-screen model, broadcasters need a way to gather, share, and deliver social buzz between new media devices and platforms. The never.no Interactivity Suite and Synchronized Companion App Framework provide broadcasters with a platform that encourages social engagement with television viewers who are using second screens such as PCs, tablets, and smartphones while watching TV, and infuses their feedback into a live broadcast in real-time.

At the IBC 2011 convention, running from September 9-13 at the RAI Amsterdam, Vizrt and partner never.no will demonstrate never.no technology working seamlessly with Vizrt live graphics systems at the Vizrt booth (Hall 2, Stand A31).

During the demo, visitors will see Vizrt touch-screen technology controlling never.no powered Synchronized Companion Apps as well as social media content, including real-time viewer votes from iPads as they are fed into live graphics displays. Viewers will also see how social media data was incorporated live into graphics displays during TV 2 Norway’s Tour de France coverage this summer.

Interactive, cross-media broadcasting
“Whether it’s for news, sports, or entertainment, the real-time incorporation of user-generated social media content into a broadcast drastically improves viewer loyalty, retention, and enjoyment,” said James A. Neufeld, Director of Marketing for never.no in Oslo, Norway. “The never.no Interactivity Suite and Synchronized Companion App Framework give broadcasters a simple, well structured platform that lets them create their own customized companion apps that sync to the action on TV and harness the power of Social Media.”

Nearly any Vizrt system, like Viz Trio character generation software or the Viz Anchor iPad application, can be used to trigger elements within a companion application for Facebook, the iPhone, or other new media and devices via the never.no Framework. This framework monitors changes frame-by-frame within the broadcast production and makes changes within the application, ensuring constant synchronization with broadcast content.

The never.no applications seamlessly integrate with Vizrt graphics systems to feed real-time social and user-generated data into live, on-air graphics. This enables viewer polls and other spontaneous viewer feedback to be displayed within on-air graphics.

“Because of the seamless, end-to-end integration between never.no technology and Vizrt graphics systems, Vizrt users can even control the second screen right from within their Vizrt systems,” said Petter Ole Jakobsen, Vizrt’s Chief Technology Officer. ”Integration from capture to display, coupled with customizable user-settings, makes this combination of never.no and Vizrt technology particularly powerful and practical for broadcasters who want to harness social media and deliver interactive content across multiple platforms.”

The IBC2011 demo will also feature technology from two other Vizrt partners: Molden Media and Reaktor – both of which contributed to the development of the iPad app that enables on-air talent to control graphical displays using an iPad.

About never.no
never.no’s award-winning interactive “TV. Mobile. Social. 1Framework.” technology connects fragmented media platforms across broadcast TV systems, mobile, and social media platforms — enabling real-time viewer participation, social TV, and synchronized companion apps. In operation since 1999, never.no has a global customer base including top brands such as BBC, CTVglobeMedia, Danmarks Radio, Etisalat, Music Choice, TV Norge, TV 2 Norge, TV 2 Danmark, and Viasat. More information about never.no products is available at www.never.no.

About Vizrt:
Vizrt provides real-time 3D graphics and asset management tools for the broadcast industry and media houses – from award-winning animations & maps to online publishing tools. Vizrt’s products are used by the world’s leading broadcasters and publishing houses, including: CNN, CBS, Fox, the BBC, BSkyB, ITN, ZDF, Star TV, Network 18, TV Today, CCTV, NHK, The Globe and Mail, Times Online, The Telegraph, and Welt Online. Furthermore, many world-class production houses and corporate institutions such as the Stock Exchanges in New York and London use Vizrt systems.

Vizrt is a public company traded on the Oslo Main List: VIZ, ISIN: IL0010838154.

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