Djoss.tv is a web platform that makes TV social by allowing real time discussions by web or SMS during shows. TV channels get valuable feedback and statistics while viewers can engage during live shows.
According to Patrick Ndejientcheu, the project leader, “TV channels register their TV shows on our platforms along with their broadcasting date. While a program is broadcasting, viewers can connect to djoss.tv to discuss in real time with other viewers, send on air messages or rate this show. TV channels can also publish live polls to gauge viewers opinion on specific points.
And after TV shows, TV Channels can get access to statistics.”
Here is the rest of the interview with TechMoran.
Take us through Djoss.tv features?
TV channels can make their shows interactive in just a few clicks. And by interactive, I mean both WEB and SMS : they got one interface where they can view and reply to viewers reactions sent by SMS or from the djoss.tv website. That’s really interesting, just one interface to interact with viewers sending SMS and viewers connected to the web. djoss.tv also provide valuable statistics to let TV channels know where their active viewers come from, how many people participated, how well their shows are rated…
For TV viewers, djoss.tv is the place to be if you don’t want to watch your favorite TV shows alone. On djoss.tv, TV viewers can discuss with other viewers, air out their views, rate shows they are watching, take part in live polls and discover more information related to what they are watching.
Why Kenya?
Well, Kenya is renown in Africa for using ICT in innovative ways to solve real world problems. Ushahidi and M-Pesa are successes we are all proud of.
Implicitly, it also means that the Kenya market is somewhat ready to adopt ICT innovations, providing it adds value to their lives.
We would like to start with a Kenya TV channel who is facing issues to engaging their audience and is looking for simple ways to solve this problem.
What do you have for Kenya/east africa?
Since 1 month, djoss.tv is available in English, so it can be used in any English-speaking country. We plan to release a Swahili version once we will have traction in East Africa.
How do you plan to reach Kenyan viewers ?
Djoss.tv makes audience engagement easy for TV channels. So, when they use djoss.tv, they will also promote it while a show is airing by inviting their viewers to connect to djoss.tv to participate to the program.
Do you work on mobile phones?
The web version also works on iPhone, Androïd and Blackberry. Feature phones are not yet supported. But, we have started working on a web version for feature phones it should be ready for the AFCON in January 2013.
As many people in Kenya and East Africa browse the web from their mobiles, a djoss experience for feature phone should translate to more people participating in TV shows.
How do individual users gain?
They never have to watch their favorite shows alone again. Djoss.tv let them discuss with other viewers in real time, participate by sending messages on air or replying to live polls and rate TV shows they are watching.
How do companies gain?
TV channels not only have a simple way to interact with their viewers by web or SMS, but also, they get valuable statistics on their programs.
Other companies can use djoss.tv to advertise their products to a selected TV target audience.
Five year plan
In terms of vision, we plan to be the one stop place in Africa for discussions about TV shows : before, during and after.
In terms of execution, for now, we are validating our assumptions about the social TV market, audience engagement problems faced by TV channels and how well djoss.tv solves them.
Who are the founders?
The founding team has 4 technical people:
Patrick NDJIENTCHEU, Project Leader. He has previously co-founded koutchoumi.com. He is in charge of defining a usable, valuable and enjoyable djoss experience for viewers and TV channels. He also leads the technical implementation of the platform.
Hervé DJIA, software engineer and tech enthusiast. He is the guy behind nobakchich.org. He works on product design and the business model.
Eloge FOKEM, Web developer and CEO of the web agency dotcomcm.com. He designs the website to look attractive and user-friendly.
Kouotou ABOUBAKAR SIDIKI, software engineer passionate about social media. He is responsible for our social media strategies.
Patrick NDJIENTCHEU, Project Leader. He has previously co-founded koutchoumi.com. He is in charge of defining a usable, valuable and enjoyable djoss experience for viewers and TV channels. He also leads the technical implementation of the platform.
Hervé DJIA, software engineer and tech enthusiast. He is the guy behind nobakchich.org. He works on product design and the business model.
Eloge FOKEM, Web developer and CEO of the web agency dotcomcm.com. He designs the website to look attractive and user-friendly.
Kouotou ABOUBAKAR SIDIKI, software engineer passionate about social media. He is responsible for our social media strategies.
What inspired you ?
Empowering and enriching people lives using ICT. ICT has the potential to solve many problems we have today and to help us enjoy our lives in a better way. I feel the need to bring to life tools that turn ICT potential into concrete values for people.