FANGO delivers on Social TV - Seven West Media

<strong>FANGO</strong> <strong>delivers</strong> on Social TV
Social influence, apps and companion experiences are changing the viewing experience
Sydney, Australia, 10 February, 2012 – Australians have a healthy appetite for social TV
according to Yahoo!7, with the release of new research demonstrating that viewers are
increasingly using mobile devices and social media to enhance their TV experiences while
shows are airing.
The research, conducted by Yahoo!7, sampled 7,741 people from around Australia and
polled them on their viewing habits, activities undertaken while watching TV and the
influence of social media on viewing habits.
Top Line Social TV Research Results
• 41 percent of people reported posting on Facebook while watching TV
• 36 percent of respondents are using a mobile phone to text or call friends and family
while watching TV
• People are more likely to use social media during or after a show
• Nearly 72 percent of people watch TV shows live on TV as they are airing
• 90 percent of people prefer to watch TV on a traditional TV set
These statistics support how people are using <strong>FANGO</strong> - Yahoo!7’s social TV app. <strong>FANGO</strong>
has secured over 200,000 downloads since launch, averaging over 10,000 downloads each
day. <strong>FANGO</strong> for iPhone was App of the week in the iTunes App store and <strong>FANGO</strong> for iPad
reached the number one ranking in the iTunes App store.
With <strong>FANGO</strong>, people can check-in to their favourite TV shows including all free-to-air
programs from 3pm-12am. They can let their friends know what they are watching; chat
about shows and see what other people are saying on <strong>FANGO</strong>, Facebook and Twitter.
<strong>FANGO</strong> offers show-related trivia, topical polls and gives viewers the ability to earn points
and badges to reward their engagement.
During the Australian Open, <strong>FANGO</strong> brought together like-minded viewers with 100,000 fan
check-ins during the tournament and the Hewitt vs. Djokovic match clocking up the highest
number of check-ins. During the tournament one of the popular interactive elements of
<strong>FANGO</strong> was ‘Open Mic’, the ability to send questions to Jim Courier to ask players during
post match interviews.

Yahoo!7’s Social TV research also showed that online social circles influence our choice in
programming with 27 percent of those surveyed saying that they have watched a TV show
based on a recommendation from a friend via a social networking site. Similarly, 26 percent
of respondents said that they had been made aware of a TV show because of something
they saw on a social networking site.
“The research clearly shows that Australians love to watch appointment-based TV. The
success of <strong>FANGO</strong> demonstrates a new way in which Australian television viewers can
engage with shows <strong>FANGO</strong> brands and other fans, as the show is airing,” said Kristin
Carlos, Head of TV, Yahoo!7. “<strong>FANGO</strong> makes it easier for viewers to engage with their
favourite TV shows.”
According to Tim Worner, CEO of Seven Network Television: “Viewers are changing the way
they watch TV and we’ve changed the way we produce shows to cater for this. Social and
interactive elements aren’t an afterthought anymore, we are integrating them into the making
of our shows.
“The initial numbers for <strong>FANGO</strong> during the tennis were very strong, and this enthusiasm has
carried right on into My Kitchen Rules. At Seven, we’ve made it a priority to keep innovation
at the very heart of our business and <strong>FANGO</strong> is yet another example of this,” he said.
The companion TV experience that Seven and Yahoo!7 are offering with <strong>FANGO</strong> will no
doubt continue to influence the way in which television is produced in this country with more
interactive and social elements being introduced into programming. We’re leading the next
wave in TV innovation.”
<strong>FANGO</strong> is available now for iPhone and iPad. To download the latest version of the <strong>FANGO</strong>
app, please visit the iTunes store: http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/id475261145?ls=1&mt=8
or visit: yahoo7.com.au/fango
ENDS
For further information please call or email:
Amanda Millar
Communications and Trade Marketing Manager, Yahoo!7
tel: 02 8288 4758
mob: 0407454229
email: millaram@yahoo-inc.com
Michaela Zucker
Text 100 Public Relations for Yahoo!7
tel: 02 9956 5733
mob: 0413 858 733
email: michaela.zucker@text100.com.au
About Yahoo!7
Yahoo!7 (yahoo7.com.au) is one of the most comprehensive and engaging online destinations for Australian consumers and
advertisers. Formed as a 50-50 partnership between the Seven West Media Group (ASX: SWM) and Yahoo! Inc. (Nasdaq:
YHOO), Yahoo!7 brings together the successful Australian internet business, Yahoo! Australia & NZ, and the online assets and
television and magazine content of the Seven Network, one of Australia’s leading media companies. The company also

combines the strengths of Yahoo! search and communications capabilities and its global internet network, with Seven’s rich
media and entertainment content and marketing capabilities.