CBC's Over The Rainbow Takes Viewers Beyond The TV, With Cutting Edge Second Screen Experience

September 14, 2012 - Transport yourself into the magical land of OZ,  with OVER THE RAINBOW‘s interactive second screen app for iPhone, iPad, Android, and via the web on all computers, available for the series premiere on Sunday, September 16 at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT).  The leading-edge technology automatically synchs with the series live broadcast, immersing viewers in the on-screen action, allowing them to participate with the show in real time, while having their say displayed back on live TV. The unique app will allow the creation, position and publishing of interactive digital content against television programming, whether it is pre-taped or produced live. 

“We don’t just make TV at CBC anymore; we make experiences for the audience. The Rainbow app is about giving the audience a fun and playful way to engage with the show and each other.” said Julie Bristow, Executive Director of Studio and Unscripted Programming, CBC. “TV has always been a social medium; now we have powerful ways let viewers become part of the show from their living room. I’m so excited to see how the audience responds.”

“CBC is pushing the limits of what has been done with Second Screen interactive technology,” said TVplus CEO and Co-Founder, Ajay Shah. “We are proud to be at the core of this truly groundbreaking experience.”

As viewers connect with the second screen, they are able to interact with a variety of engaging elements including; exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, insider sneak peeks, interesting background facts, contestant bios, poll questions, photo galleries, and the ability to vote instantly for their favourite Dorothy. The bigger the fan, the more influence viewers have on the series outcome, as app-users have the opportunity to earn more votes through a variety of challenges. Integrated with social media platforms Facebook and Twitter, users can instantly share Over the Rainbow content with their social networks, without having to leave the app.

This project brought together a number of best in class vendors;

TVplus, (www.tvplus.com), an award-winning social technology company that delivers rich, interactive experiences around television for the Second Screen.

Social Game Universe (http://www.socialgameuniverse.com/),the tech innovators behind Lightning Platform, a scalable multi-platform tool for creating and managing social TV, games and game mechanics.

Konrad Group (www.konradgroup.com), a leader in mobile application development and user experience design.

OVER THE RAINBOW is CBC’s exciting new live competition series, produced by Temple Street Productions. Hosted by Daryn Jones, the live series showcases aspiring Canadian performers as they vie for the leading role of Dorothy in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s stage adaptation of The Wizard of Oz, opening this December at the Ed Mirvish Theatre, Toronto, ON.

cbc.ca/overtherainbow
@cbcrainbow, #overtherainbow
facebook.com/CBCOverTheRainbow

For more information including series synopses, biographies and high-resolution images, please visit the CBC Media Centre at https://mediacentre.cbc.ca.

About CBC/Radio-Canada CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. The Corporation is a leader in reaching Canadians on new platforms and delivers a comprehensive range of radio, television, Internet, and satellite-based services. Deeply rooted in the regions, CBC/Radio-Canada is the only domestic broadcaster to offer diverse regional and cultural perspectives in English, French and eight Aboriginal languages, plus five languages for international audiences. In 2011, CBC/Radio-Canada celebrated 75 years of serving Canadians and being at the centre of the democratic, social and cultural life of Canada.