TV in Ireland Gets Social with New Magnet Web TV service
Free Live TV with Integrated Social Media Launched by Magnet Networks.
- (1888PressRelease) February 01, 2011 - Irish broadband provider, Magnet Networks, today launched a free web-based live TV service with Twitter and Facebook integration, making it a first for people in Ireland.
Available at www.magnetwebtv.ie, the no-strings-attached service offers live streaming of five Irish channels for free, regardless of provider.
As long as you have a 1Mbit broadband connection all you have to do is to log on to magnetwebtv.ie and register to watch RTE1, Network 2, TV3, TG4 and 3e live from any web browser. No TV license fees, no cable subscription, no contract, no monthly subscription fee and no software downloads.
From the same web page, users also have the option of running their Twitter and Facebook feeds to comment, tweet and watch updates alongside their TV stream. Similar to other online services, users need only register their full name, username, password and email to avail of the service.
Commenting on the launch of magnetwebtv.ie, Mark Kellett, CEO of Magnet, said: "Apart from the fact that this is a free, no-strings-attached service, we expect the social media features to be a big draw. People in Ireland can now watch TV and comment, or just observe comments, from one device, which we now know is a very popular activity for many."
According to research from Intel (August 2010) 35% of 18-24 year olds post comments on social networking sites to converse about broadcasts and 22% of us want a quick and easy way to recommend shows to friends. Almost half of all Brits have admitted to using sites like Twitter, Facebook and MSN messenger to discuss a TV programme whilst it's on air.*
"There really is a huge appetite for this. Big TV events like The X Factor attracted over 11 Tweets per second and more recently TD Joan Burton's appearance on The Vincent Browne show became a trending topic worldwide."
For a monthly fee of €3.99, a total of 21 channels are offered to Magnet broadband subscribers, including BBC's full range of channels, MTV, VH1 and kids channels Nickelodeon, Nick Toons and Nick Junior.*
"There's no obligation to sign up to Magnet. We are however hoping that people will be so impressed with the service that they will want more and sign up to our broadband packages to avail of additional channels together with our great speeds. But there's nothing to stop people just availing of the free five."
For now users can tweet or update their Facebook status and receive updates from followers and friends. Additional features likes replies, retweets and comments will be added in the coming weeks.
Kellett concludes: "This service puts Ireland at the forefront of converging television and social networking. Our technical teams have solved issues that have caused others to stumble in the race for convergence. We here in Ireland are now actually ahead of efforts in the United States. The local network, internet and software assets we have assembled now make MagnetWebTV.ie possible for the whole country."
Customers can avail of the Magnet Web TV service by visiting magnetwebtv.ie.
*http://newsroom.intel.com/community/en_eu/blog/2010/09/03/today-we-watch-tv-together-by-the-global-fireside
*http://newsroom.intel.com/community/en_uk/blog/2010/09
Media Contacts:
Bernice Burnside, Bvisible Communications 353-1- 8452401 or 353-87 2337366
ABOUT MAGNET NETWORKS
Magnet Networks, the parent company for Magnet Entertainment and Magnet Business, has provided voice, internet and video services to the Irish marketplace since 2005.
The company has pioneered super-fast broadband in Ireland offering speeds of up to 50Mbps and owns the largest fibre network in Ireland and the UK. For more information visit Magnet Networks at www.magnet.ie.
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