APP Review - VIGGLE

Viggle is changing the way I watch TV, and I am loving every minute of it!

In the advent of OnDemand, Internet streaming and DVRs it is obvious why networks and advertisers are becoming more and more desperate for live viewers of their programming. For a long time, I thought there was no way I would ever watch live TV again.

I was wrong. Viggle brought me back.

In the week leading up to the Superbowl I noticed one of my facebook friends had "checked into" a television show using Viggle. Curious as I always am about social media tie-ins, I clicked the link to see what Viggle was all about. When I got the the site I could not believe what I was reading:

Viggle℠ is a loyalty program for television that gives people real rewards for checking into the television shows they’re watching. (from Viggle's About Us Page)

Someone wants to reward ME for watching TV? I thought, for sure, I had read wrong. Then, for a moment I thought, No, no, Nicole, this could be legit. The rewards are probably crap! So I explored further. I checked out Viggle's REWARDS Page and nearly fell over - THEY HAD BARNES & NOBLE GIFT CARDS! 

 I was sold.

I downloaded the APP and started viggling (I have made this a verb). It is so easy that I have already earned three gift cards in one month!

How It Works 
 
Using your Apple or Android device, you simply click on the "check-in" button and let your device "listen" to the TV for a couple of seconds. The APP will identify the show based on the sound and THAT'S IT. You will earn one point for every minute that show is still on (I love to catch The Today Show because it is so long!). If you want to check into a different show, you just open up the APP and click again.

When you have earned enough points for the reward you want (for example, the Barnes & Noble $5 gift card is currently 10,000 points), you just open up your APP and redeem through the "rewards" button. The best part for me is that the gift card can be stored right on my phone instantly - no waiting for mail, no printing - everything is all in one place.

Extra Fun & Bonuses

Now hold on a second! I see you doing the math over there and wondering how in the heck I have already watched 30,000 minutes (500 hours or just under 21 days straight) of television in one month. I didn't. Viggle offers four different bonus point opportunities every single day:

• ViggleLIVE: This is my favorite. Some shows, movies and sporting events offer a trivia game that you play on your phone during their airing, for tons of extra points. Depending on the show and the event you can earn anywhere from +10 to +25 for each correctly answered question, and, if you answer wrong, you still get points just for playing (+1 to +5, respectively).

• ViggleMYGUY: I promise you, playing MYGUY will change the way you watch sports. This is a game available for basketball and football games (which we're just a bit of my "wifely duty" before Viggle). During the sporting event, you will be matched up (randomly) with nine other Vigglers for a MYGUY game. As you watch the game, you select a player to be "your guy". Each time he does something good for his team, you earn MYGUY points, each time he messes up, you lose MYGUY points. You may change "your guy" as many times as you would like. When the game ends the top four out of the ten Vigglers in your game earn MEGA Viggle points!

• Featured Shows: This one is the easiest. Each night, during Prime Time, a number of shows are featured. Featured shows will earn you anywhere from +50 to +100 points if you check into them for ten minutes or more while they are live.

• Commercials/Partners: While checked in to various events, if you happen to have your device in hand, you will notice tiny pop up offers to watch a commercial or even a "behind the scenes" look for points. These vary in length and in point values - I have earned as little as +5 to as high as +250 points for a minute or two of viewing.

Pointless Fun

In addition to all the rewarded fun Viggle provides, there are also features that are just plain fun, but earn you nothing.

• FB & Twitter Connect: Similar to Viggle's partner in crime and one of my old favs, GetGlue, Viggle allows users to share their viewing habits right from the APP. With just a click of a button you can show your FB friends and Twitter followers exactly what you are tuned into.
• Viggle Chats: Every show has its own chat window which connects you to fellow Vigglers watching the show live. So, rather than following a hashtag to see who's talking about the same thing you are, you get plugged right in to an audience on the same channel as you are. 

In Conclusion
 
If you love your TV, and you have a Viggle-friendly device, I say it is time for your TV to love you back! Join me over in the Viggle party and start earning points to the reward(s) of your choice.

Viggle is my first true second-screen experience. Have you used another? 

If so, what was your experience?

What reward would draw you back in to LIVE TV viewing?

~Thanks for reading!