TVSpy TVNewser SocialTimes AllFacebook AllTwitter AppNewser MediaJobsDaily more FishbowlNY FishbowlDC FishbowlLA GalleyCat UnBeige AgencySpy PRNewser 10,000 Words semanticweb.com

Acquisition

Samsung acquires Movl to bring devices and smart TVs closer together

Atlanta startup Movl says it’s been acquired by Samsung Electronics for an undisclosed sum. Just two years old, Movl began by creating games that interacted with TV — like “We Draw,” which won Samsung’s top developer award in 2011. Then the startup created a platform for iOS and Android developers to seamlessly integrate their apps with smart TVs, starting with Samsung and Google TV — with more on the way.

Read more

Mediabistro Event

Find Out How To Land Your Dream Job

Job Search IntensiveLooking for guidance as you job hunt? Look no further. Join our Job Search Intensive, an interactive online event starting June 11, 2013. Over four weeks, you’ll watch live weekly webcasts featuring HR professionals, career experts, and recruiters who will share best practices for landing interviews and getting hired. Register here.

Twitter: Bluefin Labs acquisition ‘reflects our commitment to the social TV market’

It’s a done deal. Twitter confirmed reports of its Bluefin Labs acquisition on Tuesday night, doubling down on the company’s efforts to own the social TV space.

“This acquisition reflects our commitment to the social TV market, and builds on our exclusive partnership with Nielsen announced in December to develop the Nielsen Twitter TV Rating, the centerpiece of social TV measurement,” explained Twitter COO Ali Rowghani. “We believe that Bluefin’s data science capabilities and social TV expertise will help us create innovative new ad products and consumer experiences in the exciting intersection of Twitter and TV.” Read more

Report: Twitter buying Bluefin Labs

Updated: It’s a done deal.

Earlier: Business Insider is reporting that Twitter is buying social TV analytics company Bluefin Labs. We’ve reached out to Bluefin and Twitter for comment. So far, no official confirmation, but it sounds like the deal is close to finalizing. Read more

Viggle acquisition not happening, says GetGlue

Updated: Back in November, Viggle announced it was acquiring GetGlue for $25 million in cash and 48.3 million shares of stock, forming a social TV powerhouse. But there was a condition: $60 million in new financing from an investor, yet to be announced. The goal was to close the new financing round in December, but a new SEC filing this month revealed the two companies were “discussing an extension of such date and other potential modifications.”

Read more

Current, the first ‘social TV network,’ sells to Al Jazeera

Current TV, which launched with a user-generated social strategy that was way ahead of its time, has been sold to Al Jazeera. The network, co-founded by former Vice President Al Gore and his business partner Joel Hyatt, has for the last year and a half been a liberal commentary network, but before that had some very innovative approaches to programming.

Read more

What the Viggle-GetGlue acquisition means for the battle over the second screen

Another Monday and another big acquisition announcement in the social TV world. As we reported earlier today, Viggle scooped up GetGlue, combining to form a second screen powerhouse in an increasingly competitive space. GetGlue has the bigger audience, but Viggle has the deeper pockets, a publicly-traded company (VGGL) founded by former American Idol exec Robert Sillerman that acquired Loyalize and quickly ramped up an aggressive team.

Read more

Viggle acquires GetGlue in surprise social TV acquisition

In a surprise acquisition, Viggle has acquired social TV startup GetGlue. GetGlue CEO Alex Iskold made the announcement via his Twitter account just under an hour ago. According to the announcement, “Viggle will pay $25 million in cash and 48.3 million shares of stock for GetGlue.” Additionally, “Viggle Inc. will operate the Viggle and GetGlue brands, and GetGlue founder and CEO Alex Iskold will join Viggle Inc. in a senior executive position on its management team and as a member of its Board of Directors.” Here’s the full story. Read more