By Joyce Schwarz blogging at Hollywood2020.net on 9/16/11
FAV.TV podcast direct from DEMO Fall, 2011
As many of you know I've launched more than 75 venture funded companies ranging from emusic.com to Primesense, it's still fun to look at what's new and relevant at Demo Fall, 2011. Even though I couldn't be up in San Jose for the event, I scanned the news and found one company VERY appropriate for Hollywood2020.net looking at the future of media an entertainment.
FOR THOSE OF YOU who prefer just to cut to the chase and listen to the podcast here's that link click on the yellow arrow to play the Hollywood2020 podcast with Saverio Mondelli Fav.tv co-founder.
The company is called Fav.tv and according to the Market Wire press release: Fav.tv is an interactive guide for keeping up with all things TV. With Fav.tv, you can discuss, follow and get notified of everything relevant to your favorite shows. Unlike other sites that only tell you what's on or provide news, Fav.tv fills the gap between TV and its audience by bringing color to your favorite shows making TV watching better. Founded in 2011, Fav.tv is headquartered in Mountain View, Calif. (here's the link to that press release for more details on the features of Fav.tv See that release at: http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/favtv-launches-interactive-tv-guide-at-demo-fall-2011-conference-1560032.htm
For more information and to start using fav.tv today, visit http://fav.tv.
Saverio Mondelli, CEO and co-founder, Fav.tv says in that release that:"TV brings people together -- and so far, tools to socialize the experience have failed because they demand more work and split attention from the viewer. You shouldn't have to live by someone else's schedule or try to keep up with online chatter when watching your favorite shows. We just want to create a better experience for people like us, people who love TV. Fav.tv lets you watch and enjoy your favorite TV shows, without interruption, and then take part in those interesting TV conversations after you are done watching. Don't you have to juggle enough? TV should be all about you -- and Fav.tv is here to help you enjoy it."
During Joyce Schwarz podcast with Mondelli, she asked what about the 20 something's that DON"T WATCH TV ...and he responded that the Fav.tv service is aimed both at the avid TV watcher and the TV fan who watches just a few special shows.
At first glance at www.fav.tv -- I like the name -- awesome name and it is pronounced like the slang FAVE. The interface is very clean -- perfect for IPad and other tablets. And the founders have a background in mobile having started and sold a firm called ENORMIGO.
BUT THE CHALLENGE IS THE BUSINESS MODEL and the competition -- back in 2007 SOCIAL TV was the rage there were dozens of start-ups and variations on the mainstream TV GUIDE (TM) At that time I called the EPG (electronic program guide) the last best real estate available on TV. Since then TV GUIDE itself has divided its screen and offers it's own programming including RED CARPET arrivals for Emmy's, Academy Awards and other event and even movies. What they haven't changed much is the interface for the TV screen itself.
BACK TO THE FAV.TV business model obvious choices other than Google ads and banners which would muck up the cleanness of the interface would be White labeling the product for TV networks or cable companies (although most of the TV shows on Fav.tv now are mainstream network TV) and sponsorships and/or special pay per view events that Fav.TV could program themselves or user-generated content that could be written PBS style. In the podcast, co-founder Mondelli mentions that they are leaning toward serving as an analytics/research service for production copanies, networks and media and entertainment brands and I'm assuming ad agencies too.
What makes it so fascinating is that this indeed could be a killer app for Fav.tv. The co-founders actually have a background in this arena that shows they can aggregate statistics and if they can go mainstream with this talent it could be a buy-out. Otherwise it goes the way of all the "bigs" (boxes in the garage that have tried to do variations of enhanced TV services.
Let me know what you think -- if I had an iPad I know I'd give it a whirl. The interface is actually clean enough that it could serve as a window within a window too that links you to cached mainstream TV content to serve as your own bookmarking service for a customized on-demand experience.! Good luck guys!Q
ABOUT JOYCE SCHWARZ: (sorry about the large photo of me I'm having some issues with images on typepad right now. Anyway you can see more about Joyce at www.joycecom.com and meet her live on 10/17/11 as she moderates the the opening session for the preview day for Digital Holywood Fall, at 10 am at the Ritz Carlton Resort, Marina Del Rey, CA for more details, email: [email protected] her at www.twitter.com/joycecom and invite her to be part of your network at: Joyce Schwarz | LinkedIn
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