Mobile TV app i.TV has acquired social TV app GetGlue, coming together in a deal that pairs a founding father in the second screen and TV check-in space with the Utah-based video discovery startup.
“Together, i.TV and GetGlue will reshape the social TV and second screen landscape,” said i.TV CEO, Brad Pello. “Together, i.TV and GetGlue are positioned to deliver the richest, most enjoyable, and most social second screen experience at a time when viewers are more eager than ever to watch and share with each other. We will have more to announce on that note early next year.”
We’ve reported on GetGlue extensively, but you might not know much about i.TV, which began in 2008 and describes itself as the most downloadabe TV Guide app in the history of Apple’s App store. High profile companies have used i.TV as their second screen designer including AOL, Huffington Post, Entertainment Weekly and Nintendo.
The terms of the deal have not yet been released, and with both companies being privately held, they might not be.
Read press release below:
New York, NY and Provo, UT – November 6, 2013 – i.TV today announced the acquisition of GetGlue, maker of the leading second screen and TV check-in platform. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“GetGlue has built an impressive product with a highly engaged audience,” said i.TV CEO, Brad Pelo. “With over 4.5 million registered users, GetGlue delivers over 1 billion social impressions every month to 100 million unique Facebook and Twitter users. With this kind of reach, it’s no wonder more than 75 TV networks partner with GetGlue to engage with their fans, and 30 media companies integrate with the GetGlue API. i.TV’s own platform of second screen services power experiences for brands like Nintendo, AOL, Huffington Post, TELUS and i.TV’s own leading TV guide application. Together, i.TV and GetGlue will reshape the social TV and second screen landscape.”
i.TV will continue to build and grow GetGlue as an independent product, while enabling GetGlue to benefit from i.TV’s broader platform of partners and services. The GetGlue experience will continue uninterrupted for GetGlue users and partners, while improvements and updates will be forthcoming. GetGlue will maintain its New York City presence.
“While there are a variety of general-purpose social platforms, we’ve found that TV viewers prefer an experience built just for them,” added Pelo. “Together, i.TV and GetGlue are positioned to deliver the richest, most enjoyable, and most social second screen experience at a time when viewers are more eager than ever to watch and share with each other. We will have more to announce on that note early next year.”
About i.TV
Creator of one of the most downloaded TV guide apps in the history of Apple’s App Store, i.TV designs and builds second screen and social TV experiences for brands like AOL, Huffington Post, Entertainment Weekly, and Nintendo. Every month over 15 million people use i.TV technology to discover, watch and engage with television. For more information, visit i.TV.