KIT Digital Readies "Social" Video Program Guide

Global video management software firm KIT Digital has created a "social" TV electronic program guide, says KIT's Alan Wolk, Global Lead Analyst in this video interview. 

KIT Digital has built its own white label social electronic program guide that it will market to network operators and service providers, Wolk said.

So far, social TV apps have been limited in scope because many of them require the viewer to respond immediately or to push out updates to social networks rather than pulling in information, he explained. But most consumers first turn to social media for input on what to watch well before they decide what show to tune in and the next generation of social guides need to incorporate that behavior, he said.

"All the big pay TV providers are looking in that direction," he said. "They realize [social TV] is a great retention device."

KIT Digital is well-positioned for social TV growth. The company reported preliminary earnings earlier this week of more than $70 million for the fourth quarter, ahead of its guidance and an 82% jump from the year-ago period.

Daisy Whitney