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DISH has upgraded its second-screen app, Dish Explorer for the iPad, with new features that allow users to ‘check-in’ to TV shows, movies and sports programmes, as well as get personalized content recommendations.
The new features come as the result of a deal to tap GetGlue’s social media activity tracking prowess across TV and plug it into the platform and puts it in more direct competition with companies like Zeebox, which has a similar proposition.
The deal, which DISH says is the first time that GetGlue has allowed a third-party app to access its media feed, will deliver a mix of official and fan-generated programming content including pictures, comments, videos, recaps and tweets to users. The download is available for free now for the iPad.
“Social media users regularly check-in to restaurants and venues to show their friends what they’re up to, and the beauty of integrating GetGlue is it takes this concept into the world of television,” Vivek Khemka, senior vice president of product at DISH, said. “GetGlue’s inclusion in DISH Explorer fits perfectly with how our customers use the app, to better discover, experience and connect with their favorite programs while also being able to interact with fellow fans of those programs.”
As well as automatically posting your check-ins to your Facebook and Twitter accounts, the updates also mean that users can earn rewards from certain entertainment partners when checking-in to some movies or TV shows.
GetGlue’s feed tracks social media activity for some 35,000 shows and 50,000 movies and current sporting events and already has about 4 million users of the platform. Through integration with DISH Explorer it will likely see a few more.
The news follows an announcement yesterday from GetGlue yesterday that it was also partnering with Gnip to sell its second-screen entertainment data.
➤ DISH Explorer (iPad)
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