Yahoo And Samsung Agree to Multi-Year Interactive TV Partnership

Yahoo and Samsung have entered into a multi-year interactive TV partnership that will deliver Yahoo!’s Broadcast Interactivity platform to Samsung’s 2012 Smart TVs.

According to a press release:

“Yahoo! Broadcast Interactivity, powered by its automatic content recognition (ACR) technology, SoundPrintTM, will be deployed in Samsung’s SyncPlus platform, enabling new opportunities for intelligent content discovery, advertising and engagement, bringing an unprecedented level of interactivity in the living room.”

Using the new platform, owners of Samsung Smart TVs will receive real-time and actionable content that complements the TV shows and commercials they are watching.

According to Yahoo, the platform will provide subtle, on-screen prompts that inform viewer of actionable content.

Buyers will be able to access Yahoo supported information using their remote, connected tablet, or smartphone.

TV programmers will be able to take advantage of the platform to offer complementary content for their shows. Content may include trivia, show insights, commerce, or interactive gaming that matches the shows content. Already signed up to access the platform are Showtime Networks and National Geographic Channel.

According to the press release, the platform will also create extended advertising that is actionable beyond the traditional 30-second ads TV viewers typically watch. For example, users could download apps suggested through advertising or grab coupons directly to their smartphones. Not sure you want a new product? Why not check out reviews and other product information.

According to Ron Jacoby, vice president of Connected TV at Yahoo:

“By combining watching TV with engaging content, we can change the way audiences are entertained and informed. We are thrilled that our expanded partnership with Samsung extends our platform’s footprint, enabling our content partners and advertisers to reach many more consumers. Content owners can augment their programming and advertisers can create compelling calls-to-actions that allow audiences to engage on marketing messages the moment they are delivered.”

Yahoo! Broadcast Interactivity and Samsung SyncPlus will be delivered in the latest firmware update to Samsung’s 2012 Smart TVs in the United States. Future Samsung connected TVs will also feature the technology.