Twitter loves TV, and apparently the feelings are mutual. Twitter and Comcast are tackling social TV together. Here’s the gist of it: Twitter will connect your second screen and TV. Comcast has developed a “see it” button that will be embedded in tweets from NBC Universal (which is owned by Comcast). Then, you’re instantly tuned in to that show either on your device or television.
Essentially, this button will change the channel for you! The numbers show that it’s a great idea. The more tweets, the higher the ratings.
Here’s the problem: Comcast isn’t available for everyone. Since I’m from West Virginia, we’ll focus on the availability here.
As you can see, Comcast’s service is limited to certain areas. Another interactive map shows where cable and broadband providers are located in WV. Satellite TV and internet are the only option for many WV residents.
What’s the point in a “see it” button that you can’t see!?
That’s why I think this concept won’t last. Other cable network and satellite TV providers would need to join the crowd for twitter buttons to make TV ratings higher. Comcast alone can’t reach enough people.
On the other hand, you have to start somewhere! Maybe this will spark a new trend. Maybe this will really change the way we watch TV. I guess we’ll see!
Rachel Lea Simpkins 
The evolution of technology and media never ceases to amaze me. Will it work? Perhaps, but that is the beauty of newer media and gadgets: the possibilities are endless. The overall idea of linking Twitter and TV broadcasts highlights the pursuit of media companies to embrace and gain a position in Social TV.
You’re absolutely right! We can assume other media companies will feel the need to keep up. I’m anxious to see if networks who DO NOT embrace Social TV will survive this movement! Thanks so much for your comment!
Nice use of a map – and that’s a LOT of data points – but it’s not immediately clear what we’re seeing. I can guess that it’s cities where Social TV is available? Is it just those cities, or is it the larger space around them? Where does coverage end? The map is good, but I’m left with some questions. What’s very interesting to me, though, is the big picture – the panhandles, northern border, and Charleston get coverage while the bulk of the coal counties don’t. It’d be interesting to see a layer showing population added to this. For example, you might show low, medium, and high city populations with yellow, orange, and red pointers, which would tell us more about the kinds of cities that are getting coverage; you could also add other pointers (blue? a different shape?) to show us major WV cities that AREN’T getting covered. Maybe that’s another post!