Jewelry Television® Launches JTV Play Powered by Megaphone TV

Shopping Network Aims to Heighten Viewer Engagement with Participation-Based Entertainment

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Aug 24, 2015, 04:00 ET

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 24, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- In another industry first, Jewelry Television® (JTV), one of the nation's largest retailers of fine jewelry and gemstones launched JTV Play powered by Megaphone TV. JTV Play is a participation-based entertainment platform that allows viewers to actively engage with network programming and show hosts. JTV rolled out the technology on its popular show, "Girlfriend Friday," on Aug. 21 at 8 p.m. EDT with great success, exceeding both Megaphone TV and JTV's expectations.

JTV Play will enhance the viewer experience through features such as interactive on-air graphics, moderated social media conversations, nationwide real-time audience polling, as well as contests and games tailored specifically to complement home shopping programming.

"As we continue to develop innovative content strategies, such as our current reality-style show, JTV's Rock Star Designer, we believe inviting audiences to personally share in the programming experience will drive tune-in and increase viewership," said Tim Engle, Chief Strategy Officer for JTV. "JTV has traditionally been a transactional retail organization and JTV Play will help us engage viewers on a more meaningful level."

JTV Play will serve as the platform for moderated real-time social media interaction, viewer's choice polling, interactive quizzes, mini game shows and more. All of this will take place on screen as hosts continue to present and sell jewelry and gemstones.

"We couldn't be more thrilled to have JTV as a partner in bringing participation TV to an entirely new type of programming," said Dan Albritton, founder and CEO of Megaphone TV. "Our mission is to give the home audience the feeling of being in the studio with their favorite on-air personalities, and let them have a meaningful impact on a show as it progresses. With JTV's programming, we'll not only increase audience engagement, but drive new sources of revenue and data."

"Megaphone TV's work on the television series, 'Talking Dead,' has been recognized with an Emmy® nomination for Outstanding Interactive Program, as part of the 67^th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy® Awards," said Engle. "That's the kind of innovation we want to bring to our viewers via JTV Play."

About Jewelry Television®

Jewelry Television® (JTV) is one of the largest multichannel retailers of jewelry and gemstones in the U.S. appealing to fashion-conscious women, jewelry-making enthusiasts and private collectors. The privately-held shopping network broadcasts high definition programing, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to more than 85 million U.S. households. Committed to consumer education, the network employs numerous Graduate Gemologists and Accredited Jewelry Professionals. JTV.com offers the most comprehensive jewelry and gemstone Learning Library on the Internet, and is the fifth largest jewelry website according to Internet Retailer's Top 500 Guide for 2015. Recently, JTV launched the first reality series to air on a home shopping network, JTV Rock Star Designer, currently airing Friday nights at 7:30pm ET on its network.

About Megaphone

Megaphone TV is the world's first Participation Entertainment Studio, created to meet the rapidly changing viewing habits of consumers worldwide. Megaphone enhances the viewer experience through unique features such as interactive on-air graphics, nationwide real time audience polling, contests and gaming, and actionable ads tailored to any show. These interactive entertainment capabilities ultimately increase ratings and broadcaster revenues through title sponsorships and new ad formats. Megaphone's broadcast clients include Bravo, Fox News, E!, and AMC. Megaphone also collaborates with production studios such as Fremantle Media to develop and produce inherently interactive programs that viewers love.

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SOURCE Jewelry Television