The Disney/ABC Television Group is today re-launching its industry-defining WATCH ABC services with enhanced social sharing features that provide fans with an even more personalized experience. With a complete redesign of the user interface and user experience also included, this re-launch is the most significant update to the service since its debut.
The new social features include:
- FastShare: Whether it’s that laugh-out-loud joke, an unbelievable plot twist or can’t miss moment, the new FastShare feature allows fans to easily access and share clips of their favorite and most shareable in-show moments, all while staying within the viewing experience in the app. Fans can also share the entire full episode.
- Social Lens: Integrates fan’s personal Facebook and Twitter into the WATCH ABC app so they can watch the content they love while they socialize with their friends.
- Multi-Cam: Offers fans exclusive access to backstage/venue cameras during live events.
“After experimentation and observation of second screen behavior, we believe that many ABC fans watching television are multi-tasking on social platforms through their personal devices, whether it be a smartphone, tablet or laptop,” said Albert Cheng, EVP and Chief Product Officer, Digital Media Disney/ABC Television Group. “These new features bring both screens together into one immersive and highly personal experience. Gone are the days of fumbling for devices, or clumsily copying URLS. A fan can share clips or socialize with their friends as they are watching from one simple interface.”
In addition to added benefits for fans, the new features present powerful sponsorship opportunities for advertisers who want their messages to reach fans while they are watching and socializing around their favorite shows. WATCH ABC’s dynamic ad serving technology ensures clips shared using FastShare include targeted advertiser messages and Social Lens position their brand in the context of fans’ personal social spheres – and are viewed while fans are watching the shows they love.
The overall look and feel of WATCH ABC has also been updated to include a heavy emphasis on bold, simple graphics and content hierarchy that reflects the most popular shows, as well as the inclusion of short form video that enhances the show experience.
WATCH ABC lets fans watch current episodes of their favorite ABC shows anytime, anywhere on their desktop, smartphone, tablet or connected TV devices. Authenticated viewers who subscribe to a participating pay TV service in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Houston, Fresno, Philadelphia and Raleigh-Durham can also watch a live 24- hour feed of the network and have access to the most recent episodes. Disney/ABC Television Group currently has deals with the following pay TV providers: Comcast, Cablevision, Cox Communications, Charter Communications, DISH, Midcontinent Communications, Verizon FiOS, Google Fiber and AT&T U-verse, among others.
The WATCH ABC app can be found in the App Store, Google Play and the Amazon Appstore.