Canada’s CBC is once again pushing the boundaries in social TV. Sunday night the network premiered Over the Rainbow a new show that “showcases aspiring Canadian performers as they vie for the leading role of Dorothy in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s stage adaptation of The Wizard of Oz, opening this December at the Ed Mirvish Theatre, Toronto, ON.” The network has launched a second screen app that’s allowing viewers to take control of the main screen.
The second screen app (currently available for iOS) was developed by TVplus, Social Game Universe and the Konrad Group. The app is “allowing the audience to control a live on-air graphic in the show” via the app and “in a world first for Social TV the graphic will be updated live in every time zone,” according to the network. Viewers will also be able to vote for their favorite Dorothy instantly via the app. According to the announcement, “the unique app will allow the creation, position and publishing of interactive digital content against television programming, whether it is pre-taped or produced live.”
“We don’t just make TV at CBC anymore; we make experiences for the audience,” Julie Bristow, Executive Director of Studio and Unscripted Programming at CBC described. “TV has always been a social medium; now we have powerful ways let viewers become part of the show from their living room. I’m so excited to see how the audience responds,” she added. CBC continues to push the social TV boundaries setting an example that American Idol, The Voice and The X Factor should look to follow.