Social Media & Entertainment--BFFs You Just Can't Separate

Social media and entertainment share a lot of common traits. Both are fueled by new, exciting technology. Both require an awareness of popular culture and social trends. 

And, both seem to work hand-in-glove together—according to the results of an exclusive poll from market research firm Penn Schoen Berland.

Here are some ways social media & entertainment were made for each other:

Social media IS a form of entertainment.
Here’s a shocker. The reason social media is so well-suited for entertainment is that to most people it IS a form of entertainment. 

An amazing 88% of people consider social media to be entertainment. No wonder social media is such a great driver of…entertainment.

Interconnectivity means staying in contact.
Social media affords the viewer a chance to remain connected to their favorite show in a variety of ways. Message boards, chat rooms, websites, online promotions—and they’re all available during times when someone could be viewing.

In fact, a whopping 79% of connected viewers reported that they visit Facebook while watching television.

Immediacy means ASAP, toot-sweet, pronto!
Now means NOW and today’s consumers are used to immediate gratification. Luckily, the new age of entertainment and social media delivers right this very second.

Viewers don’t have to wait to get their favorite shows, information, photos, or actor updates. Nor do they have to wait to find out about a new show or express their opinion about one they’ve just watched.

Entertainment means satisfaction—and both social media and entertainment are traveling at the speed of now, now, NOW.

Viewer-generated reactions & preferences.
Television and production companies have been known to spend a lot of money to try and see how viewers will react to their new productions.

With the advent of social media, they get a response whether they’re looking for one or not. Viewers express their pleasure or dislike liberally over social media—so entertainment providers can tell what’s a hit, and what’s not working.

Viewers can also generate preferences that can shape future offerings so the content is exactly what they’ve been waiting for.

Social networkers are “entertainment” kind of people.
The most popular secondary activity while social networking was Watching TV.

Not only is social media especially suited for entertainment, but social networkers are people who love entertainment.

In fact, the most popular activity engaged in by social networkers while they’re socially networking is watching television.  Second place? Watching a movie. And, 11% stated that they even network while watching a movie in a theater.

Social word of mouth drives interaction.
Because social media is so fluid and immediate, people are constantly interacting with trending information in their social network.

Included in that info are recommendations or descriptions of programming—and social networkers aren’t immune. Three out of ten watched a TV show because of something they learned on a social network.

Making social media an untapped, yet constantly evolving, source of qualified programming recommendations.

Social media stimulates viewer reviews.

Who among us hasn’t seen a friend gush about the premier of a new film? OK, who among us hasn’t done the very same thing?

The truth is somewhat staggering. An amazing seventy-two percent post about their moviegoing experience AFTER seeing a movie. That’s a qualified response (after all, they’ve SEEN the film) and it’s directly connected to the experience movie studios want people connected to.

Social media is a driver of the most important kind here as people are beckoned out of their homes into the public setting of a theater. And why would people feel they have to RUSH to the theater to see the latest blockbuster? (See next section.)

FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out).
Both entertainment companies and social media THRIVE on the Fear Of Missing Out.

Entertainment companies try to paint the picture that every new release is the realization of untold creative genius and if you miss it—you will regret overlooking their masterpiece for a very long time.

Social media rushes to trends, fads, and crazes—and if you’re missing out, you’re losing social currency in a hurry.

Fear Of Missing Out is a key motivator for both entertainment properties, and the sometimes lemming-like world of social media.

Social media enhances entertainment—it doesn’t detract.
Some might view social media as a distraction from entertainment. Far from it.

The vast majority of 18-34 year olds consider social media an ENHANCEMENT to entertainment, not a distraction at all. So, the addition of social media to their entertainment mix is a premium, desired route—not a detraction.

Connection. Without it, there’s no movie or no social media.
There are an endless number of ways to connect to entertainment via social media. And today’s consumer is making use of all of them. But there are some important distinctions.

While people use Facebook to connect with institutions or properties like a brand, a movie, or a TV show—they use Twitter to connect with living, breathing people.

It makes sense. You don’t have to be savvy at social media to know that you can’t talk to a movie or a book or a TV show. But you CAN talk to people.

Social media is part of everything these days—and becoming more and more a part of everything, every day. It’ll be entertaining to see just how social media and entertainment continue to flourish hand in hand.

And as they do, FYI will be there facilitating this perfect relationship. From rich media that connects to the most popular social media sites to entertainment information that holds viewers captive. Connections to official show pages, movie websites, and celebrity information are all coordinated to increase viewer interaction and engagement.

Just click below to learn more about how FYI can amplify the results of your entertainment social media efforts.