Sina Microblog Launches TV Program-Sharing Platform
BiaNews, 1/31/12
Chinese internet company Sina's (Nasdaq: SINA) Weibo microblogging platform recently launched Kandian.com, a social TV platform based on users' Weibo friend networks.
When watching TV programs on their computers or mobile phones, Kandian users can post clips or images directly to their Weibo accounts to share and comment on with friends. On the night of CCTV's Chinese New Year Gala (January 22) alone, Kandian videos were played a total of more than 20 mln times, with more than 10 mln users sharing clips of the gala through the platform. One user's update about Taiwanese magician Lu "Louis" Chen's performance was retweeted and commented on more than 16,000 times.
Kandian also allows users to schedule programs for future viewing and to time-shift playback, as well as to choose programs to watch based on the results of Kandian user votes.
A survey by Nielsen-CCData Media Research Services found that 60% of TV viewers had smartphones, iPads, or notebook computers beside them when watching television, and that 78.57% of respondents said they would be willing to watch and comment upon television programming along with friends via social media.
Users can log into Kandian.com using their Sina Weibo IDs. Native clients are available for iOS and Android mobile devices.
Editor's Note: Sina first revealed plans to launch Kandian in October last year. For more background, please see "Rumor: Sina to Release New SNS Product," MD 10/08/11 issue.
Keywords: SNS Internet Sina microblogging Kandian