FANFEEDS: evaluation of socially generated information feed on second screen as a TV show companion

Abstract

In this paper, we describe the development and field trial of a second screen iTV experience called FanFeeds. FanFeeds is a second screen application that allows authoring and consumption of time synchronized secondary content around TV shows. FanFeeds are created by one's social circle as a companion experience to TV shows. For the purpose of concept evaluation, we ran a four-week field trial in 12 households consisting of 4 social groups of 3 friends. A total of 23 unique episodes of 12 different shows were watched while using our prototype. Overall feedback to our concept was mixed. Participants found some good motivations to use the system but they also found a number of concerns related to the nature of the shows they watched and the social dynamics with their friends. Participants revealed that our prototype allowed them to better connect with their TV shows and have an enriched social life around live as well as time-shifted TV content. Participants also described some concerns like distraction from TV show. We explore this contradiction in the paper, along with other valuable lessons we learned. We also report on the motivations that made participants create posts for one another and the different ways in which they used the information from the second screen.