It’s nearly impossible to be on a social network like Twitter or Facebook during an awards show and not see commentary on the winners, the gowns and whether the host is making the audience laugh….or bombing. After years of declining ratings, awards shows are making a comeback by using social media to reach their audiences. These shows are using social media to change what used to be a passive act of just watching to show into an interactive and engaging viewing experience.
The Academy Awards is a great example of how social media is changing the award show experience. For the first time, The Academy streamed nominations live online via its Facebook group, http://www.facebook.com/TheAcademy, and its website, Oscars.org
In addition, The Academy has created several interactive mediums to get viewers excited about Sunday’s show, predict winners, compete with friends and view nominated video clips and pictures. Below is a list of some the new ways to interact with The Oscars:
The Academy Facebook group: members can take part in prediction surveys, watch online promotional videos and see pictures from dance auditions
Live From the Red Carpet: viewers can submit questions via Facebook to the hosts to ask the stars as they walk the Red Carpet. For more information visit Live From the Red Carpet
Oscar.com Play Along: Consumers can predict winners, compete against friends and answer trivia questions. Visit here to Play Along
Oscars Designer Challenge: people can vote for one designer to win the opportunity to create a dress which will be worn on stage during the awards. Meet the models and designers here.
This Sunday if your home watching The Academy Awards don’t forget to check your Twitter feed for #Oscars updates. As hip-hop drummer Questlove tweeted: "Watching twitter tweets are better than watching the actual event."