In honor of National Dog Day we spoke with an expert about social TV and the love of pets, in particular dogs. Dogs, pets and animals have played key roles on major TV shows throughout the years, even with Tony Soprano. Pets have become so big for TV that DIRECTV even launched a channel for dogs to watch. In honor of this momentous holiday we interviewed Tom Maynard, Channel Head for The Pet Collective, the who Freemantle digital channel who recently engaged in a partnership with web video giant Blip to bring even more pet content to the web.
Freemantle is no stranger to television. Their programming and formats include, “American Idol (FOX), America’s Got Talent (NBC), The X Factor (FOX), Let’s Dance (ABC), Can You Duet (CMT), What Chilli Wants (VH1), Let’s Make A Deal (CBS), Family Feud (syndicated), Hole In The Wall (Cartoon Network), and the longest-running game show in television history, The Price Is Right (CBS).” Pets and social TV is something they’re now attacking on the digital front.
The Pet Collective’s new partnership with Blip will bring “new pet-related content will be available at Blip.com and across the web starting,” this month making every day of August feel like National Dog Day. Here’s what Maynard told Lost Remote.
Lost Remote: Why are pets so popular on the internet?
Tom Maynard: I think the reason pets and animals are so popular on the internet is because there is something about them that just transcends any culture, race, age, demographic… They bring us all together. While all the bad news stories that are constantly filling our feeds and inboxes seeing an adorable image of a puppy just inherently brightens your day and takes you away for a moment.
LR: Do you think the same type of popular/shareable pet content that appears on the web could work in any capacity on television?
Maynard: Whether its on your laptop, iPhone or TV watching adorable puppies and cute kittens warms the hearts of even the most hardened TV watchers.