This social media revolution will be televised.
U.K. broadcaster Channel 4 is preparing to launch a catch-up TV channel where the schedule will be determined by what shows are being discussed on Twitter, Facebook, blogs, and elsewhere online.
4seven, as the channel will be called, was announced by Channel 4 CEO David Abraham on Thursday at the Financial Times’ Digital Media Conference. It will mark the first new channel launch for Channel 4 since 2005.
“With so much choice out there, viewers are increasingly saying they sometimes just miss the best stuff,” Abraham said.
The channel will schedule rebroadcast shows from Channel 4 based on the buzz they’re generating online.
As the Financial Times notes, 4Seven will be arriving over the summer on Freeview, Sky and Virgin Media, in the year of Channel 4’s 30th anniversary.
TVGuide.com recently published a study suggested more people watch shows when they’re first aired, in case someone tweets spoilers and ruins a show for them.
Whether that mentality has an impact on the success of 4seven remains to be seen. If a show is being discussed often enough online, it follows that others will want to see what they missed out on the first time around. However, it’s a chance for many of the hidden gems among Channel 4’s programs to see the light of day once again and perhaps reach additional viewers.
It’s turning network programming into a social event. In 4seven’s world, every show may be a viral success.
Photo by meddygarnet
