Social TV: How Children Shaun Probst Bridged the space Between CBS and it is Audience

Shaun Probst, Survivor When Shaun Probst beginning live-tweeting Survivor last season, he made it happen while he desired to, not because CBS requested him to. But simply two episodes later, the network was encouraging fans to follow along with @JeffProbst before every commercial break. This year, he's both live-tweeting and responding to viewer questions in 15-second videos using Tout, and also the fan response continues to be extremely positive. We spoken to Probst about how exactly he convinced CBS living-tweeting was useful, and why Ozzy has got the fans by way of thanking for his go back to Survivor. TVGuide.com: The very first time you reside-tweeted a chapter, you stated something similar to, "C'mon, men, let us convince CBS how awesome this really is.Inch Had you been getting pushback in the network about tweeting? Shaun Probst: Initially, CBS just did not come with an opinion some way. They never stated, "Do not do it,Inch but they weren't convinced whatsoever it really was worth going after. TVGuide.com: So that they certainly were not going to publicize it on the program. Probst: Not again. There is simply no consideration that they are ever likely to publicize it on the program. However I think this can be a great illustration of how grassroots social networking works. It's proof that people have been in the first stages of the new evolution in how shows can build relationships audiences. CBS clearly knows what they are doing. They understand how to operate a network. But it was only a completely new idea for them. TVGuide.com: What transformed their brains? Probst: Following the first couple of days, I demonstrated them twelve people nevertheless, "I did previously Digital recording device and today I watch it live." Which was all it required. I had been really shocked. I'd not have even considered asking them to achieve that. However they did rapidly observe that there is something happening here, also it urged me to ramp up much more. I do not have lots of fans when it comes to most celebs, but my number increased about 400 percent, and that i attribute the majority of that to reside-tweeting throughout Survivor episodes. Take a look at 9 social show integrations we are liking at this time TVGuide.com: How has this experience transformed how you build relationships audiences? Probst: I have been carrying out a similar kind of engagement with audiences from the first day. Whether I am by the pool or perhaps in an airport terminal, people wish to discuss Survivor plus they don't just say, "Hey, it's nice to satisfy you!" They are saying, "Let me know about Boston Take advantage of" or "Is Russell really as crazy because he appears?" They end up with specific because Survivor fans are loyal. We do not have casual audiences. Individuals don't switch on Survivor and say, "I would watch now.Inch They have a tendency to express, "I have never skipped a chapter.Inch TVGuide.com: It should be pretty surreal to possess such immediate feedback from fans. Probst: It's. You are able to pose an issue and within 2 or 3 seconds you will have hundreds of reactions, and you are able to return to the creative team with this apple. Actually, area of the reason Ozzy is on the program happens because I at random tweeted "Who do you want to see back?" A lot of people stated Ozzy, and that i known as the casting director and that i stated, "Ozzy is our No. 1." Which was the offer-clincher to place him back on the program. It had not been a planned idea. TVGuide.com: And today you've added these Tout videos in to the mix - you have been filming 15-second videos responding to viewer questions at advertisements. How did which come about? Probst: About eight several weeks ago a friend who's a dean at Harvard began saying, "The following large factor is Tout." He explained it was essentially video-tweeting, and recommended I actually do it next season. It stuck during my mind. And So I made the decision the very best utilization of Tout for me personally is always to answer fan questions throughout advertisements, similar to letters for an editor, and that is what I have been doing. Social TV: Understand why Nathan Fillion will get a remove of Twitter TVGuide.com: A week ago you requested fans the things they considered your Tout videos. What type of feedback have you get? Probst: I acquired lots of positive feedback. And when it's any indicator, the Tout videos in the first episode had 500, 000 sights. I seem like I am on the floor floor of something, and I wish to share this using the audience. I would like everybody to seem like we are all finding new things together, before it might be Twitter and everybody's doing the work. TVGuide.com: You once stated within an interview that you simply think eventually live-tweeting is going to be written into actors' contracts. Would you still believe that? Probst: Basically were beginning a show at this time and employing talent, I'd absolutely possess a clause proclaiming that for X quantity of hrs or X quantity of episodes, you have to participate in live social networking. The concept that somebody in a tiny town in Nebraska will have a chance to speak to Ashton Kutcher throughout the premiere of 2 . 5 Males is really a crazy idea, but when Ashton decides to reside-tweet, it might happen. So yes, I believe it is the future. I really believe we're the infancy of what will become, within our lifetime, a really global conversation, where I'll have the ability to watch a chapter of Survivor as well as on my screen have people from Guam and South america and Australia and also the U.S. all watching it accept me. Over the following couple of years, I wish to come with an interactive family room with 10 or 12 people from around the globe watching Survivor together. It's happening... it is going to happen.