More from Anne-Marie Roussel, one of my favorite authorities on Social TV.
PHASE 1 – PRE-SHOW: The buzz starts building about what Rachel will do on the next episode of Glee. The Social Interaction Curve in Phase 1 reflects the buzz activity: it starts low on the vertical (BUZZ) and horizontal (TIME) axes and reaches its highest point at the end of Phase 1, just as the show is about to start.
PHASE 2 – DURING THE SHOW: The Social Interaction Curve during Phase 2 (as the show is on the air) goes through peaks and valleys, following real-time happenings. For example, during a football game buzz will peak during time-outs, especially right after a quarterback fumbles a ball and then drop as the action starts again and people concentrate on the game.
PHASE 3 – POST-SHOW: Buzz is still high after the show is off the air: “Can you believe that sick home-run by Alex Rodriguez?” and then tapers off with time.