O P I N I O N E D I T I O R I A L E N T E R T A I N M E N T W E E K L Y

E N T E R T A I N M E N T W E E K L Y O P I N I O N E D I T I T O R I A L

:
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Connect

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when we

in real time worth it. James Poniewozik

of TIME magazine said social media will
A

survey

conducted

with

A B C s

P re t t y L i t t l e L i a r s f a n b a s e o f 1 0 , 0 0 0 -

SPOILER EFFECT
REFERS TO THE
PHENOMENON IN
WHICH LEAKED
INFORMATION
WHICH REVEALS
PLOT CAN
SIGNIFICANTLY
REDUCE PEOPLE'S
INTEREST IN THE
CONTENT.

save live TV viewing, Because as much

as we like to watch, we like to talk.

doors for social interaction, viewers

people discovered that 20% of viewers

TV shows at a set time? Nowadays,

need to be aware that other people are

said they are watching more live TV

t is 7:02 and I have logged off

w i t h t e c h n o l o g y p e o p l e a re a b l e t o

watching with them. This is in contrast

specifically to avoid "social spoilers.

my Facebook and Twitter feeds.

record their shows on their television

to the trend only a few years ago when

I h a v e w o r k t o d o b e f o re I c a n

as

personal

people started using DVR machines to

Viewers do not want to see spoilers

w a t c h m y f a v o r i t e s h o w : P re t t y

computers, phones, and tablets to

watch shows at their own pace. What

because it impacts their ability to

Little Liars, which just started. Ill

access shows when ever they want to

is now occurring is large-scale, real-

participate in social interaction with

have to watch it later. However,

w a t c h s o m e t h i n g . H o w e v e r, b e c a u s e

time conversations amongst world wide

their peers.

I know I cannot peruse Facebook or

of social media there seems to be an

audiences that mimicks the past of

out of their way to avoid spoilers.

Twitter until I have watched the show.

affect on the TV experience; it has

families gathering around the television.

If I log back on I will see spoilers that

become much more interactive. Also,

I know my friends will post. Next week

it is impossible to not acknowledge

S o c i a l Te l e v i s i o n h a s a l s o l e d t o l i v e

together and creating quality social

I will make sure to have my work done

that television has also become a

viewing because of the phenomena

and interactive engagement. When

before 7 pm so I can watch Pretty

driving force for social interaction.

known as "fear

Te l e v i s i o n w a s f i r s t i n t r o d u c e d i t w a s

resurgence of live watching because

of missing out"

often criticized as an isolating, anti-social

of the human need for interaction.

well

as

use

their

Little Liars live. It will be fun because

Therefore, viewers go

Television has a way of bringing people

I can virtually watch Pretty Little Liars

This is the foundation of Social

(FoMO)

or

experience. However, although TV might

with my friends by tweeting with

T V.

spoiler effect.

seem one-sided, TV is inherently social.

them as we watch the plot unfold.

revival of people watching live shows

Spoiler effect refers to the phenomenon in

People watch it to be able to talk to

because of their desire to connect

which leaked information that reveals plot

other people about it. Social interaction

Is live television dying? Do people

with other viewers. In fact, to create

(e.g., movies,TV shows) can significantly

and a sense of community only enhance

re a l l y n o l o n g e r h a v e t o w a t c h t h e i r

feelings of connectivity and open the

reduce peoples interest in the content.

television viewing and makes watching

11

S o c i a l Te l e v i s i o n h a s l e d t o t h e

Television content creates conversations.

I t m a k e s u p a l a rg e p e rc e n t a g e o f t h e
conversations on social media. It is
estimated that on average, 10 million
comments are made daily online related
to television content worldwide. People
are talking and they are talking about TV.
Live television viewing is not dying.
People still want to watch TV content.
So, although viewers have the ability
to watch televsion content at their own
leasure social media has has lead to the

D e ir d re M il
le r s tu d ie d
C o m m u n ic a
ti o n s a t B Y
U.
S h e is a n A
ccount Man
ager
& S tr a te g y
S p e c ia li s t a
t
NUVI App.
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