Nine’s Jump-in to take on Seven’s FANGO

Nine has announced a new social media application designed to compete with Seven’s own FANGO platform.

Jump-in will launch free on iPad in mid-July in time for the Olympics, with a roll-out to later include iPhone, Android and Windows platforms and as a web app.

Jump-in will offer audience conversation, a TV Guide, Olympic Twitter feeds and results plus behind the scenes content on programmes.

This launch follows Nine’s botched attempt at an iPad “live game” app, Nine Extra, announced last July. After Telstra threatened legal action over web-broadcasting of sports events, Nine never launched the app.

But Jump-in is designed to capitalise on social media conversation whilst watching television, and follows Seven’s FANGO clocking up  500,000 downloads of its app in just seven months.

ninemsn and Nine have today announced their London 2012 Olympic Games audience will get the first look at new immersive social TV experience, Jump-in.

Jump-in is a free TV companion app experience that complements existing television viewing by turning viewers into active TV show participants whilst shows are on air. Fans can connect with the TV show and their friends, and immerse themselves in additional rich content and behind the scenes information.

Jump-in phase one will be unveiled just before the Olympics, featuring a comprehensive interactive TV guide for all free-to-air channels, as well as interactive support for the Games.

Users will be able to: view information on TV shows and set reminders, comment on events, check-in to shows they are watching and share on social media, follow the Olympic hashtag on Twitter, view a range of Olympic content including interviews with the medalists, the full Olympics schedule, latest medal tally, results, news coverage and video highlights.

“Jump-in is a rich immersive experience that combines the power of Nine and ninemsn with the impact of social media,” says Peter Wiltshire, Group Sales and Marketing Director, Nine Entertainment Co.

“Our audience are using mobile devices whilst viewing TV and there is huge enthusiasm to get directly involved as shows are airing. “We’re already integrating social media and interactive elements into our TV line-up, and hit shows such as The Voice and The Block, have demonstrated it enhances the fans’ TV experience.”

“Jump-in is a rich second-screen complementary experience to TV, using social interaction and ninemsn content to amplify real-time TV viewing,” says Alex Parsons, Managing Director, ninemsn.

“Jump-in provides a vibrant environment for viewers to engage with shows and the talent. Viewers become active participants rather than passive consumers. Jump-in: “don’t just sit there.”

Jump-in will initially be available for iPad, and then rolled out in stages across iPhone, Android and Windows platforms and as a web app.

ninemsn will be working with brands to explore a range of innovative advertising opportunities to connect advertisers with Jump-in’s highly engaged audience.

Once officially launched in mid-July, Jump-in will be available for iPad through the Apple iTunes store.