Twitter and TV, perfect companions?

Posted on 13 June 2010

Recently I’ve found myself flicking through the iPhone Twitter app whilst watching TV, it began back during the first leaders debate in the run up to the general election. It was was brilliant watching people talking with each other about it across the globe, as it happened rather than the following days at work around the water cooler.

It also becomes a great way to gauge popularity if you run a search or follow a hashtag through the show, as you can see how many posts are made every 30 seconds as the searches refresh.

The world cup has become a great example of this with the launch of Twitter’s own world cup site which uses the nation specific hashtags to filter a running commentary of matches (if you dodge the spam posts). Other sporting events give great live insights and commentary such as Lotus in the formula one racing who post pit lane and garage photos all through some races.

I just wonder how long before all live shows allow a ticker of Twitter posts along the foot of the screen?