Facebook expands Credits to TV show phone votes

Facebook has struck a deal with Mobile Interactive Group to let TV viewers buy votes using its virtual currency Facebook Credits.

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The social networking giant has integrated with MIG’s Interactive Broadcast Platform so TV broadcasters can let viewers cast votes in real time via their Facebook account.

MIG designed the IBP, which it launched in January, to integrate Facebook accounts with a software development kit that lets broadcasters track votes as they’re cast.

The platform is also compatible with all of the mobile industry’s leading smartphone platforms, as well as mobile and fixed-line web.

Rob Weisz, MIG’s commercial driector, says: “The integration with Facebook Credits provides a fully compliant and secure way for broadcasters and production companies to drive viewer engagement via new channels. We’re having strategic discussions with a number of international broadcasters and other businesses, and expect to make some significant announcements for primetime shows in the coming months.”

BSkyB has already used MIG’s IBP platform for Got To Dance.

The announcement comes a week after premium-rate services bodies the Association for Interactive Media and Entertainment and regulator PhonepayPlus revealed figures indicating PRS were worth £800m a year.

The research also suggested that PRS’s self-regulation regime is regaining broadcasters’ confidence after earlier voting scandals on TV shows such as Blue Peter had led many to drop services such as SMS voting.

This story first appeared on newmediaage.co.uk