Deborah D. McAdams / 01.07.2013 03:35PM
Flingo Joins Roku, Launches Samba 2nd Screen Platform
Hisence and Haier to integrate Samba
LAS
VEGAS --Flingo announced a partnership with Roku
to provide its video channels on Roku streaming players. Flingo’s slate
includes TMZ, A&E, History Channel, Lifetime, Transworld, Warren Miller, Fitness
Magazine, CollegeHumor, CelebTV and others. Several of these channels will
launch on Roku this month; with additional channels launching every month.
Flingo, based
in San Francisco, also unveiled a new platform that connects first and second
screens, e.g., smartphones, tablets, PCs, “all instantly synchronized with live
TV shows,” without an app or a login, Flingo said. As the viewer flips through
channels, Samba automatically recommends related content, and generates
real-time information and social media discussions about the TV program
currently playing. The integration of Samba directly into the TV or set-top box
also enables interactive TV features like check-ins, tweets, polls, quizzes,
cast and crew information, special offers from the device or directly on the TV
itself controlled via the remote.
Chinese TV
manufacturers Hisense and Haier will integrate Samba into their smart TVs, Flingo
announced from the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week.