Constructing a Second-Screen Platform Led by Broadcasting Stations

In Japan, second-screen services are provided separately by the program or by the broadcasting station, which causes great inconvenience to viewers. Under the circumstance, we-the multiscreen broadcasting study group that has a membership of 78 companies as of June, 2014 -have successfully established a platform for the second screen in a situation where broadcasting stations take leadership and cooperate with one another. We believe this is the only example in the world. We named this second-screen platform SyncCast and launched the second-screen service in actual broadcasting nationwide in February and March 2014 with 48 programs and 27 commercial messages in service. This time, we have employed a simple system based on Internet, which will allow viewers to enjoy second-screen services only with a smartphone or tablet. Also, broadcasting stations do not need new equipment.