via Mashable.
The Peel app is unveiling the next step for social TV this week with the debut of a second-screen engagement platform for the upcoming episodes of American Idol.
The new feature takes social TV beyond checking in to programming by letting users interact with specific shows and other viewers in real time. It’s a significant advance in the emerging space. Peel’s new platform will initially only be available for iOS users and American Idol watchers, but expect Android owners and fans of other shows to be able to get in on the fun before long.
Founded in 2009, Peel is a free app that lets friends share favorite shows and guilty pleasure with one another, and recommends new shows based on what you watch and like. Its investors include big names such as Redpoint Ventures and Lightspeed Venture Partners. Many see social apps and second-screen experiences soon coming to dominate the way programming is discovered and enjoyed over the coming years.