Exclusive: TF1’s ‘Star Academy’ extends audience engagement with US firm LiveLike

Star Academy (Source: TF1)

France’s TF1 Group has partnered with audience engagement firm LiveLike on its singing competition show, Star Academy.

The partnership will see LiveLike’s audience engagement suite integrated within the Star Academy section on My TF1, providing access to features such as polls and ‘ask me anything’ chat sessions with contestants.

LiveLike’s TF1 portal (Source: LiveLike)

Samuel Westberg, LiveLike’s CCO and co-founder, described the show as “an ideal programme for innovation” that would provide “new ways to encourage fan participation and generate excitement throughout the season.”

“The partnership enhances the digital user experience around a strategic TV show for TF1,” added Thierry Bonhomme, TF1 Group’s CTO.

“It engages the fanbase on a regular basis, adding innovative and interactive features. Some features like the ‘interactive box’ have been conceived in collaboration with the show’s producer, trying to create a 360° experience for the audience.”

Star Academy is a Banijay format that was created by Endemol France and is produced locally by DMLS TV.

LiveLike, which was founded in 2015, has previously worked with Canal+ in France to expand its interactive offerings available during live broadcasts and it has previously been adopted by companies including Turner Sports, Sky Sports and FloSports.