Online social entertainment
Encyclopedia
Online social entertainment blends entertaining interactive functionality and content including live video streaming, video chat communications, multi-player gaming, music and videos streaming, with social networking service such as social graph management, forums
, reviews, ratings, and geo-location options. It is the foundation for a more immersive, interactive, enriching and engaging content consumption experience through social channels. Social entertainment is distinct from social networking websites in that the former is based fundamentally on immersive engaging experiences with functionality, content and people, while the latter is based primarily on building and maintaining relationships with other users. Typically, social entertainment is defined by the individual sites dedicated to a particular type of entertainment experience incorporating basic social networking services.
Within the realm of social entertainment, online content is tightly intertwined with social features. These interactions around the content create a highly personalized experience for users which, in turn, drives a virtuous cycle of ongoing consumer engagement
for service providers. In this sense, social entertainment refines the paradigm established by social networks, in which interactions with others are central and reasons for interacting with them are secondary.
which links back to social networking websites to help connect users and has begun to facilitate audience acquisition. While these websites may not yet be recognized as entertainment companies, they are leading the way in terms of adding value to the consumer
experience of entertainment online. The majority of users polled in both the UK and US felt that social networking websites provide better value than music, gaming and television companies alone. Due to this shift in audience interaction, traditional media companies are acquiring social components to stay competitive.
The main types of services offering social entertainment are split into two categories, Live Platforms and Packaged Internet Platforms. The main differentiating factor between these categories is that one offers their experience through an exclusive real-time online experience and the latter has broadened the user experience by the inclusion of mobile platforms.
social environment. The level of audience interaction with a social networking service or social graphic continues to make an impact on the entertainment in which these audiences partake. Some examples for this type of online social entertainment service is Cisco Eos
, Woo Media
, IMVU
, and Hi5.
and Warner Bros.
social entertainment experience is ongoing, and the social networking service span a wide variety of content types and genres and a diverse array of social experiences.
As an evolution of social networks online, social entertainment websites have grown exponentially. In 2010, Edelman released a study revealing that seventy-three percent of 18-24 year olds in the US and 61 percent in the UK see social networks as a form of entertainment. Fifty percent (US) and 56 percent (UK) of respondents aged 35–49 also consider social networking websites to be a main source of entertainment
.
Internet forum
An Internet forum, or message board, is an online discussion site where people can hold conversations in the form of posted messages. They differ from chat rooms in that messages are at least temporarily archived...
, reviews, ratings, and geo-location options. It is the foundation for a more immersive, interactive, enriching and engaging content consumption experience through social channels. Social entertainment is distinct from social networking websites in that the former is based fundamentally on immersive engaging experiences with functionality, content and people, while the latter is based primarily on building and maintaining relationships with other users. Typically, social entertainment is defined by the individual sites dedicated to a particular type of entertainment experience incorporating basic social networking services.
Within the realm of social entertainment, online content is tightly intertwined with social features. These interactions around the content create a highly personalized experience for users which, in turn, drives a virtuous cycle of ongoing consumer engagement
Engagement
An engagement or betrothal is a promise to marry, and also the period of time between proposal and marriage which may be lengthy or trivial. During this period, a couple is said to be betrothed, affianced, engaged to be married, or simply engaged...
for service providers. In this sense, social entertainment refines the paradigm established by social networks, in which interactions with others are central and reasons for interacting with them are secondary.
Types of Online Social Entertainment Services
A social entertainment service is an online service, platform or websiteWebsite
A website, also written as Web site, web site, or simply site, is a collection of related web pages containing images, videos or other digital assets. A website is hosted on at least one web server, accessible via a network such as the Internet or a private local area network through an Internet...
which links back to social networking websites to help connect users and has begun to facilitate audience acquisition. While these websites may not yet be recognized as entertainment companies, they are leading the way in terms of adding value to the consumer
Consumer
Consumer is a broad label for any individuals or households that use goods generated within the economy. The concept of a consumer occurs in different contexts, so that the usage and significance of the term may vary.-Economics and marketing:...
experience of entertainment online. The majority of users polled in both the UK and US felt that social networking websites provide better value than music, gaming and television companies alone. Due to this shift in audience interaction, traditional media companies are acquiring social components to stay competitive.
The main types of services offering social entertainment are split into two categories, Live Platforms and Packaged Internet Platforms. The main differentiating factor between these categories is that one offers their experience through an exclusive real-time online experience and the latter has broadened the user experience by the inclusion of mobile platforms.
Live platforms
These services may also create an interactive experience that is fundamental to a dynamic onlineONLINE
ONLINE is a magazine for information systems first published in 1977. The publisher Online, Inc. was founded the year before. In May 2002, Information Today, Inc. acquired the assets of Online Inc....
social environment. The level of audience interaction with a social networking service or social graphic continues to make an impact on the entertainment in which these audiences partake. Some examples for this type of online social entertainment service is Cisco Eos
Cisco Eos
Cisco Eos was a software platform for Media & Entertainment companies developed by the Cisco Media Solutions GroupUnlike the Canon EOS product, Cisco says that "Eos" is not an acronym, but is pronounced as a word Eos is reported to be focused on helping M&E companies connect with online fans...
, Woo Media
Woo Media
Woo Media was an online chat and video social network which offered a variety of interactive sites that provided live social entertainment through a computer or mobile device....
, IMVU
IMVU
IMVU, Inc. is an online social entertainment destination in which members use 3D avatars to meet new people, chat, create, and play games created by Fydor Guthenschlag. IMVU has over 50 million registered users, 10 million unique visitors per month and three million monthly active users...
, and Hi5.
Packaged Internet platforms
A hallmark of social entertainment is that it can also be accessible across connected mobile device platforms. Social entertainment providers who prioritize development of mobile applications for a range operating systems (iOS and Android in particular) and display sizes will be best equipped to meet user expectations of anywhere, anytime access and to exceed expectations of a deep, rich content experience. Examples of these packaged social entertainment platforms are MySpaceMySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
and Warner Bros.
History
The evolution of the onlineONLINE
ONLINE is a magazine for information systems first published in 1977. The publisher Online, Inc. was founded the year before. In May 2002, Information Today, Inc. acquired the assets of Online Inc....
social entertainment experience is ongoing, and the social networking service span a wide variety of content types and genres and a diverse array of social experiences.
As an evolution of social networks online, social entertainment websites have grown exponentially. In 2010, Edelman released a study revealing that seventy-three percent of 18-24 year olds in the US and 61 percent in the UK see social networks as a form of entertainment. Fifty percent (US) and 56 percent (UK) of respondents aged 35–49 also consider social networking websites to be a main source of entertainment
Entertainment
Entertainment consists of any activity which provides a diversion or permits people to amuse themselves in their leisure time. Entertainment is generally passive, such as watching opera or a movie. Active forms of amusement, such as sports, are more often considered to be recreation...
.
See also
- Distributed social networkDistributed social networkA distributed social network is an Internet social network service that is decentralized and distributed across different providers. The emphasis of the distribution is on portability, interoperability and federation capability...
- Geosocial networkingGeosocial networkingGeosocial Networking is a type of social networking in which geographic services and capabilities such as geocoding and geotagging are used to enable additional social dynamics. User-submitted location data or geolocation techniques can allow social networks to connect and coordinate users with...
- Mobile social networkMobile social networkMobile social networking is social networking where one or more individuals of similar interests or commonalities, conversing and connecting with one another using the mobile phone. Much like web based social networking, mobile social networking occurs in virtual communities. A current trend for...
- Personal NetworkPersonal NetworkA Personal Network is a set of human contacts known to an individual, with whom that individual would expect to interact at intervals to support a given set of activities....
- Social identitySocial identityA social identity is the portion of an individual's self-concept derived from perceived membership in a relevant social group. As originally formulated by Henri Tajfel and John Turner in the 1970s and 80s, social identity theory introduced the concept of a social identity as a way in which to...
- Social networkSocial networkA social network is a social structure made up of individuals called "nodes", which are tied by one or more specific types of interdependency, such as friendship, kinship, common interest, financial exchange, dislike, sexual relationships, or relationships of beliefs, knowledge or prestige.Social...
- Social network aggregationSocial network aggregationSocial network aggregation is the process of collecting content from multiple social network services, such as MySpace or Facebook. The task is often performed by a social network aggregator, which pulls together information into a single location, or helps a user consolidate multiple social...
- Social networking in the PhilippinesSocial networking in the PhilippinesSocial networking is one of the most active web-based activities in the Philippines, with Filipinos being declared as the most active users on a number of web-based social network sites such as Friendster, Facebook, Multiply, Twitter, , , PinoyKubo , Tayotayolang , Cubeesocial and...
- Social softwareSocial softwareSocial software applications include communication tools and interactive tools. Communication tools typically handle the capturing, storing and presentation of communication, usually written but increasingly including audio and video as well. Interactive tools handle mediated interactions between a...
- User profileUser profileA user profile is a collection of personal data associated to a specific user. A profile refers therefore to the explicit digital representation of a person's identity...
- Virtual communityVirtual communityA virtual community is a social network of individuals who interact through specific media, potentially crossing geographical and political boundaries in order to pursue mutual interests or goals...
- List of virtual communities with more than 100 million users
- Web 2.0Web 2.0The term Web 2.0 is associated with web applications that facilitate participatory information sharing, interoperability, user-centered design, and collaboration on the World Wide Web...