Channel 5 prepares Facebook voting for Big Brother

Channel 5 is planning to launch Facebook-based voting in time for the regular Big Brother series, due to launch this Friday (9 September).

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Kerry Katona in Channel 5's Big Brother
Kerry Katona in Channel 5’s Big Brother

The broadcaster has already launched its Facebook page dedicated to the show, which has notched up 68,266 fans but without the voting mechanism.

Earlier this summer Channel 5 revealed its plans to use the social network’s Credits payment system for voting for the reality entertainment show, along with a series of other interactive mobile voting apps.

It has been working with show producer Endemol, Facebook, Mobile Interactive Group, and developer iPlatform to develop the apps.

Although the broadcaster has not confirmed a specific date for the launch, marketing Week sister title new media age understands it is poised to launch the Facebook voting in the next week, in time for the regular series of Big Brother.

The move will mean viewers of the show can vote for the contestants they want to leave the Big Brother house using Facebook’s Credits payment system.

Channel 5 is the first UK broadcaster to use Facebook Credits for a show, although ITV has revealed it is also exploring the potential to use the currency for voting across several of its own show brands.

Meanwhile BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, has launched a rental system for shows Doctor Who and Top Gear using the social network’s Credits payment system.

This story first appeared on New Media Age. For more digital stories and analysis’ from NMA click here now

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