Verizon, History Channel latest to tap TV-commerce
You know all those times you've said, “Man, I wish the History Channel could sell me a bike?” Well, merry freaking Christmas. This week Verizon FiOs customers will be able to purchase products, such as a Crosley radio or Schwinn bicycle, at the touch of a button (on their remote control) when those products appear on the History Channel, according to The New York Times.A quick rundown of how this program will work, based on the Times' reporting: An icon will pop up in the top-right corner of the screen to give consumers the heads up that a product is available for purchase. If a consumer clicks a button on their remote control to purchase the item, they'll be presented with a split-screen that lists products on the right side. Consumers have to register an account on TVWallet.com and can then make purchases by submitting their phone number and four-digit PIN.
The days of the Home Shopping Network and infomercials dominating the TV-commerce market are on the wane. The Verizon/History Channel initiative comes weeks after eBay added functionality to its iPad app that serves product listings according to what a consumer is watching on TV.
And Shazam--developer of the audio-identifying mobile app used by Old Navy for the retailer's now-defunct “Old Navy Records” campaign--has partnered with NBCUniversal to let consumers watching crime series Covert Affairs tag episodes and receive a curated catalog of items that appeared in the episode and are available for purchase, according to Techcrunch.
