When the new series of Top Gear UK returns to TV screens on BBC channels across the world next month – just days after UK transmission - a brand new second-screen app from BBC Worldwide will accompany the international broadcasts for the first time in the show’s history.
Click to tweet: .International fans of @BBC_TopGear get new 2nd screen app to enjoy alongside its global broadcast http://bbc.in/U11s5J via @BBCWpress
Top Gear Bingo! was developed using UK-based Monterosa’s LViS platform, and encourages viewers to look out for well known phrases, cars and items synonymous with the hit motoring entertainment programme, ticking them off on their screens in a similar style to a traditional bingo game. The free-to-play web app is accessed by logging into the local BBC channel’s website where viewers can invite friends to join them through Facebook, comparing scores while playing along with the live broadcast. A brand new game is available with every episode.
Duncan Gray, Commercial Director of Top Gear at BBC Worldwide says: “We wanted to create a free Top Gear game that enhances our international viewers’ enjoyment of the show’s premiere broadcast. Top Gear Bingo! does just that, allowing fans to look out for words, phrases and items that appear, competing with their friends to see who can get the highest score each week via a leaderboard if you log in with Facebook. And we hope that the unique way we’ve been able to integrate advertisers into the proposition will be well received.”
Tom McDonnell, Commercial Director at Monterosa says: "LViS is our versatile platform that allows us to quickly and economically develop fantastic second-screen apps that can live anywhere and scale globally. Working with BBC Worldwide, we're giving fans a way to enhance their viewing experience and broadcasters a new way to activate sponsorships and to create additional advertising opportunities through the second-screen. It's an exciting time for second-screen and we're proud that LViS is becoming the best way to make and deploy global apps for mainstream TV shows."
Top Gear is one of BBC Worldwide’s flagship global brands, and was recently named the Most Watched Factual Programme in the World by the Guinness World Records. The original format has been sold to over 240 territories, with local formats in the USA, South Korea and China.
For more information, please contact:
Chris Hicks, Press Officer at BBC Worldwide
T: 0208 433 2980
NOTES TO EDITORS
• Top Gear Bingo! will be available alongside Series 19 in the following territories: Australia (BBC Knowledge, 3rd Feb), Brasil (BBC HD, 4th Feb), South Africa (BBC Entertainment, 6th Feb), Poland (BBC Knowledge, 7th Feb), Asia (BBC Knowledge, 10th Feb) and LatAm (BBC Entertainment, 20th Feb).
• BBC Worldwide are open to making the app available to other broadcasters of Top Gear around the world.
About BBC Worldwide Ltd. BBC Worldwide Limited is the main commercial arm and a wholly owned subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). The company exists to exploit the value of the BBC’s assets for the benefit of the licence fee payer and invest in public service programming in return for rights. The company has five core businesses: Channels, Content & Production, Sales & Distribution, Consumer Products and Global Brands. In 2011/12, BBC Worldwide generated headline profits of £155 million on headline sales of £1085 million and returned £216 million to the BBC. For more detailed performance information please see our Annual Review website: http://www.bbcworldwide.com/annualreview
bbcworldwide.com
twitter.com/bbcwpress
About Monterosa
Monterosa’s mission is to provide outstanding tools and services that revolutionise the way producers, broadcasters and advertisers make interactive, social, second screen TV.
We’ve worked with some of the world’s biggest names in TV and advertising including BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Sky, Endemol, Shine, Fremantle, MediaCom, Mother, BBH, Volkswagen and Burberry.
We wanted to create a free Top Gear game that enhances our international viewers’ enjoyment of the show’s premiere broadcast. Top Gear Bingo! does just that, allowing fans to look out for words, phrases and items that appear, competing with their friends to see who can get the highest score each week via a leaderboard if you log in with Facebook."
