More networks and cable channels are displaying Twitter hashtags on-air, most recently ABC News, CNN and BBC News with their coverage of the Royal Wedding.
CNN displayed its #CNNTV hashtag on the screen for much of the event, which ultimately turned into a trending topic. When Prince William and Prince Harry arrived at Westminster Abbey, Twitter says #CNNTV mentions spiked at 252 tweets/minute.
Over on ABC News, they displayed a counter of #RoyalWedding mentions on air. But more interestingly, ABC used hashtags as a poll: #RoyalMess vs #RoyalSuccess, with 82% concluding that Kate’s dress was a #RoyalSuccess.
At BBC News, beyond the hashtag integration, producers sent out Twitpics of screen grabs of the broadcast — highlights of some of the best moments.
“Our work with TV partners like ABC, CNN, ITV, Sky and BBC shows that broadcast prompts like hashtags on-air immediately drive double to ten-fold increase in activity on Twitter,” explains Twitter’s Chloe Sladden, who offers a few more hashtag examples in a blog post. (Screen grabs video from media.twitter.com.)
Plus: NBC’s The Voice displays hashtags on-air | Fox shows, too