TNO has conducted research into social television services. The purpose of the research was to answer questions such as:

How do social TV networks and communities influence consumers’ viewing behaviour?

How does the use of social TV services influence the viewing experience?

TNO carried out trials with 52 households in Enschede. The households were provided with a service that enabled them to send programme recommendations to friends and watch television programmes together. The trial was designed to assess the usage of social TV services and measure the effect of the service on the users’ viewing behaviour and the viewing experience.

In addition, discussions were held with various parties from the television industry in order to assess the commercial feasibility of social TV services and draw up a business plan for marketing the services.

This publication contains the results of the user trials. The research report on the business aspects of social TV services is also available (see under ‘See also’).

Author(s):Erik Boertjes, Sven Schultz, Jente Klok