Friday flashback: Zeebox, FANGO & Jump-in
It wasn't that long ago when second screen apps were all the rage, with group chats about TV shows.
- Published by David Knox
- on
It wasn’t that long ago when second screen apps were all the rage.
The mobile and tablet apps were designed to create group chats around Live viewing and tap into the boom in social media.
Seven / Yahoo-owned FANGO (what DID that word mean?) launched in 2011 allowing users to check-in to Seven shows and let their friends know what they were watching, with group chat, trivia, polls and more.
In 2011 Nine launched Jump-in social ahead of the London Olympics with a dedicated section for Medal Tally, Results and more. It later offered unique camera views for sporting events for the user.
British-designed zeebox launched in 2012, eventually partnering with TEN, Foxtel, ABC and select STV channels.
It was the superior product, with less favouritism of one network and with more nifty features. But 18 months after launch it rebranded as Beamly -a name that did not go down well with users.
Within another 18 months it closed its app after the company was acquired by New York-based beauty products company, Coty, Inc. and transitioned into an entertainment website.
FANGO eventually ended with Plus7 app becoming the priority, now replaced by 7plus, while 9Now replaced Nine’s JumpIn platform. 10 launched its own 10Play. None offer the group chat.
All the conversations around Live viewing now just happen through individual social platforms such as Twitter and Facebook or old-fashioned SMS between friends.
10 Responses
I remember trying Zeebox a few times, but couldn’t see the benefit of it over regular social media. It was a bit spotty at best, had almost no other participants when I was online, and the interface confounded me. Familiar beat out new for me in this instance.
Was this article written after a few wines DK…. love your work still 🙂
I drew upon previous posts for this but you’re right, should have re-checked my own editing. Now fixed.
Ssssoooo not true !! I watch every day !!
I remember Fango (around 2012/2013) at the aussie open. Johanna Griggs and everyone plugging would plug it 24/7
I still like to call my friend on the other side of the country (WA) via the landline (shock horror – still have one) to discuss our favourite show ‘Wentworth’ after each episode. Never really been one for Apps.
A fading art?
I remember The Project doing a segment about Zeebox (probably because Ten management told them that they had to). Afterwards Steve Price asked “So what is it?”. No one on the panel really had an answer for him… or the rest of us who were thinking the same thing
Yes it was in the 5pm news too. 10 wanted to interview me for it. I didn’t think I should be seen to endorse a product.
They all died because nobody watches live tv anymore.