New Software Measures TV Shows’ Online Engagement

SEATTLE: Wetpaint, a developer of online communities, has released a new tool that measures a viewer’s online engagement with a TV show, revealing that the "most engaged" viewers spend up to five hours per week discussing a favorite series on social-networking sites.

The Wetpaint TV Fandex is measured from sources including Facebook, Twitter, Google, and Wetpaint fansites, with rankings generated through an algorithm that tracks consumption and creation of content and fan buzz.  "It’s clear there is a fundamental decentralization underway in how consumers experience TV programming, but the measurement tools have remained substantially the same," said Ben Elowitz, the CEO of Wetpaint. "Fans now have the tools to connect and evangelize and they are using them with gusto. The TV Fandex provides networks and producers with the first gauge of the winners and losers in creating and retaining an online audience."

The Wetpaint Fandex 100 reveals that programs with big reveals, surprise twists, or dramatic finales see enormous spikes in online fan activity; sci-fi and supernatural genre shows can quickly gain ground even before they premiere; and series on premium networks such as HBO and Showtime can inspire year-round fan activity. In addition, reality shows are popular mid season, but online engagement drops sharply after finales. 

For the week of June 22, topping the Wetpaint Fandex 100 Top 10 is HBO’s True Blood, followed by NCIS, House, Weeds and Supernatural. Rounding out the top ten are Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Bones, The Mentalist, The Tudors and Gossip Girl.