Graphics technology provider Reality Check Systems (RCS) has collaborated with Facebook to create Facebook Now, an application which curates stories, people, media, topics and images trending on Facebook in real time. It then synthesizes the data and makes it available as an array of detailed visualisations with demographical breakdowns that on-air presenters can share with viewers.
Part of Facebook Media Solutions’ new offering for broadcasters, the application is designed to bring Facebook data to life on displays in real time, including trends, top posts and popular Instagram photos.
Facebook’s Media Solutions Program debuted new tools for broadcasters that provide access to data from the social media site to create visuals designed to improve the viewing experience and complement programming. The Facebook Now installations reside in RCS’s New York and Menlo Park offices, and be integrated in newsrooms, media outlets, offices and other professional environments.
Facebook Now combines Vizrt graphics engine technology with custom RCS control software to make popular Facebook data accessible via the social network’s API for real-time display in an animated graphics layout. RCS’ crew worked closely with the Facebook team to develop a variety of modifiable templates. Each display is powered by Ignite, RCS’ new data solution that fuses real time stats and breaking news with dynamic 3D graphics to offer 24/7 live coverage of developments ranging from sports to social media. As RCS continues to work with Facebook’s Media Solutions team to evolve the application and displays, the company will add new visualisations and templates.
In a blog post, Facebook highlighted a study on its Facebook for Business blog which found that 85 per cent of people who reported visiting a social network while watching TV said they visited Facebook. Researchers from the company discovered that Facebook usage peaks in primetime, in every country, and that the maximum daily Facebook audience occurs during maximum TV viewing.
