Univision Teams with Applicaster for Cross-Screen TV Experience

TEL AVIV: Applicaster is collaborating with Univision Communications to offer a cross-screen television experience that allows viewers to directly interact with their favorite series and characters.

Applicaster's CrossMates technology provides a combination of video delivery abilities and broadcaster-controlled companion experiences, and can be used for any television vertical, including scripted, unscripted and kids' programming. It can also be paired with commercial offers and sponsorships that are integrated into a show's storyline. Univision first premiered the technology late last year with the telenovela Lo Que La Vida Me Robó.

"Broadcasters continuously seek new ways to cater to the growing sophisticated video consumers and second screen audience," said Jonathan Laor, the CEO of Applicaster. "However, this should not come at the expense of main screen advertising revenues, but rather magnify it; adding social, interactive, and commercial layers to the TV experience creates a new synergy broadcasters want to leverage."

"These added features are the result of our understanding that viewers today want deeper engagement with their favorite stars and programs, whether on linear TV or our digital properties," added Kevin Conroy, the president of digital and enterprise development at Univision Communications. "These features reflect our commitment to offer compelling and unique experiences for our audiences that bring them closer to our talent, content and marketing partners."