In the past, we have reported on television shows that have integrated events on social networks such as Facebook and Twitter. More recently, USA’s Covert Affairs did something like this where Twitter users were able to interact with CIA operatives on a mission in Budapest during an episode. Now, Syfy’s Haven will use Twitter to completely synchronize the action happening on the TV screen and the second screen.
Starting this Friday, Syfy will air seven new episodes of Haven, a supernatural show that follows FBI agent Audrey Parker who lives in the Maine town, that will tie directly into Twitter. Two newspapermen on the show, Dave and Vince Teagues, have joined Twitter under the usernames, @DaveHaven and @VinceHaven, respectively. They will interact with an unknown character, @ColdInHaven, who has a vast knowledge of Haven. Viewers can follow the episode on Twitter (join the conversation by using hashtag #HavenNews) and will hear mentions of the tweets on the show itself. But, you don’t have to use Twitter to follow the story.
Twitter and Syfy will be measuring viewer engagement over seven weeks and publish the results in a case study for other networks who want to produce Twitter-integrated episodes in the future. Craig Engler, general manager and senior vice president of Syfy Digital had this to say:
Although there have been simple integrations before, no one has fully and organically integrated Twitter into the fabric of the show in the way Haven is doing…
Do you think social network/episode integration is an effective way to boost interest in a series? Let us know in the comments. Haven airs Fridays at 10/9c on Syfy.
Source: Mashable