NextGuide Announces TV Network Partnerships

The TV guide startup Dijit is distancing itself from its rivals in the attempt to reinvent the TV guide. Dijit is the company behind the product NextGuide, which works as a watch list and library for TV shows and movies, with social second-screen integration built in. The platform is about to become even more robust, as NextGuide announced partnerships with Fox, BBC America, and truTV Friday, which will see the TV networks add a “remind me to watch” button on their websites. Upon clicking, users will be prompted to register for NextGuide, and will get reminders through the app. The reminder buttons are already on pages for more than 80 shows, and Dijit are already in the hunt for more media partners. 

Twitter And BBC Partner To Promote Branded Videos

BBC America tweeted Thursday night that it partnered with Twitter to launch the first “in-Tweet branded video” that occurs at the same time as a scripted television series. Twitter hasn’t shared additional details beyond the tweet, and BBC America has been mum as well. But previous partnerships between Twitter and other TV networks point to how this partnership might function. For instance, Twitter’s work with Turner Broadcasting to distribute video clips of instant replays from March Madness basketball games revolved around advertising in these videos, and Twitter’s promotion of these branded highlights. Turner expanded its reach, and Twitter generated much more revenue. As well, Twitter, ESPN, and Ford partnered during the College Football season, to similar ends. This BBC deal, though, represents a move into scripted television, and it seems likely that instead of replays, branded videos will feature Previews and perhaps recaps of shows recently aired.