Shazam expands Shazam for TV service; companion app integrates with Facebook, Twitter

Shazam said Monday that it is expanding efforts to allow smartphone and tablet owners to use the devices to tag shows they are watching, announcing that the app can identify programming from 160 U.S. cable and broadcast networks.

The company, whose app relies on automatic content recognition (ACR) technology, said it is also making it easier for users to share information about what they are watching with Facebook friends. Shows and movies that are tagged by Shazam users will appear in their Facebook timelines, Shazam said. It also integrated the app with Twitter and Google+ so users can share information about what they are watching on those social networks.

Shazam's companion app lets users access more information about TV shows and movies they are watching, including cast information and trivia. Viewers watching sporting events can receive stats and scores on their mobile phones or tablets.

Some major cable MSOs are also experimenting with integrating Shazam's ACR technology with their digital cable platforms. Comcast (Nasdaq: CMCSA) demonstrated at The Cable Show convention in May how it could integrate Shazam with its Xfinity X1 platform to let subscribers identify music videos, and search for related content through its interactive program guide.  Cablevision (NYSE: CVC) and t-commerce technology vendor Delivery Agent teamed up with Shazam during NBC's coverage of the Super Bowl in February to allow Cablevision subscribers to buy Super Bowl merchandise with their remote controls though its iO TV Market Showcase Channel.

Shazam said Monday that it counts more than 250 million users worldwide.

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