Yahoo! closes second-screen biz as Viggle buys Dijit

Yahoo! is closing down its second-screen TV app business IntoNow less than three years after buying the service, as part of “ongoing efforts to sharpen our focus”.

Yahoo! said in a statement that the social TV service will no longer be downloadable as an app from the iTunes and Google Play stores, and that the iOS and Android apps will cease to operate as of March 31.

“The core IntoNow technology will live on through other products and apps, like Yahoo Smart TV and the new Loops feature in the Yahoo Sports iOS7 app,” said Yahoo!.

IntoNow first launched in January 2011 and was designed to deepen connections between audiences, television content and advertisers based on the real-time indexing of TV shows.

Yahoo! bought the service in In April 2011 for a reported US$20 million to US$30 million in a bid to boost its “social engagement across the Yahoo! network and on all screens.”

In related news, second-screen TV service Viggle has acquired Dijit Media, the firm behind personalised TV programming guide NextGuide.

The deal, which was closed for undisclosed terms, will see Viggle integrate Dijit Meida’s services – including the NextGuide’s Reminder Button, which can be embedded into any website, letting viewers track and set reminders via email, text message or app push notifications for the shows they plan to watch.

As well as reminders, NextGuide also offers a personalised TV guide, drawing listings from TV networks, as well as streaming services like Hulu Plus and iTunes. Its Universal Remote function also lets users control their DVR from anywhere.

“We’ve had incredible growth and success since our launch and we’re excited to join with another company that shares our goals – to create a holistic marketing platform for brands and networks, while giving our users content and tools they need to take control of their daily entertainment choices,” said Dijit Media CEO Jeremy Toeman.

The deal is the latest example of consolidation in the second screen space. In November i.TV bought GetGlue, which it said this week it is rebranding to tvtag.