Syfy Digital to Launch BlastrTV, Syfy Sync for Face Off, New Apps and More


As we told you yesterday, Syfy held its “upfront” presentation of new projects and programming last night. In conjunction with that, they made announcements regarding their online projects, through Syfy Digital. Here is the press release:

April 24, 2012 SYFY DIGITAL EXPANDS CONTENT OFFERINGS AND DISTRIBUTION PLATFORMS
ANNOUNCES FIRST EVER ORIGINAL UNSCRIPTED PROGRAM
NEW APPS FOR ROKU AND WINDOWS PHONE SYFY SYNC 2-SCREEN EXPERIENCE TO LAUNCH WITH SEASON THREE OF SMASH HIT SERIES FACE OFF

NEW YORK – April 24, 2012 – Continuing its expansion of original video content, mobile reach to new platforms and commitment to cutting edge technology, Syfy Digital today announced four new initiatives, from its first ever original unscripted program, new apps for Windows Phone and Roku, and the upcoming addition of sync-to-broadcast functionality to its successful Syfy app for iPads and Android tablets for season three of its hit series Face Off.

BlastrTV – Hosted by Andrea Feczko, Syfy Digital Studio’s first unscripted show will feature a unique take on the stories, people and events that shape the current sci-fi, fantasy and horror genres. It launches this June and will be distributed online on VOD, Syfy.com and Hulu, and across Syfy’s mobile, tablet, Xbox Live and Roku apps.

Blastr App for Windows Phone – In addition to the new Blastr TV show, Syfy is releasing a new Blastr app for Microsoft’s Windows Phone this summer. The app will utilize unique features of Windows Phone, such as live tiles while providing easy access on the go to Blastr’s video content, including Blastr TV, news stories and photo galleries.

Syfy Sync for Face Off – Syfy will be updating its iPad and Android tablet apps to include sync-to-broadcast technology that will allow fans of the smash hit Face Off to unlock an exclusive multimedia experience synced to the show, providing detailed hi-res photos of each transformation and bonus video scenes when the series returns this summer.

Roku – Syfy is launching a marketing and promotional app for the popular Roku streaming devices intended to promote viewership on Syfy in multichannel video programming distributor homes, beginning later this year; Syfy launched an app for Xbox Live in 2011. The digital video content will be a mix of Syfy’s award-winning online originals, webisodes and newly-announced Digital Studio content. All content will be available in HD.

In making the announcement, Craig Engler, Senior Vice President/General Manager, Syfy Digital, said: “As viewers and advertisers demand more original premium video content, we’re excited to be able to offer them new shows like Blastr TV, and to offer them more ways to watch those shows. Our partnership with Roku will make Syfy’s digital content instantly available to the nearly 2.5 million people who own Roku devices, a huge number that’s growing every day.”

Syfy.com is one of the leading imagination-based websites, averaging 3.7 million unique visitors per month. Syfy.com includes the lifestyle blogs Blastr and DVICE; Syfy Games featuring popular games such as the MMOG Battlestar Galactica Online; major show sites for the channel’s scripted and unscripted programming, from Warehouse 13 and Ghost Hunters to Being Human and Face off, video hubs showcasing online original content and video blogs along with Syfy Rewind, which presents full episodes of Syfy’s critically acclaimed programming.

Syfy is a media destination for imagination-based entertainment. With year round acclaimed original series, events, blockbuster movies, classic science fiction and fantasy programming, a dynamic Web site (www.Syfy.com), and a portfolio of adjacent business (Syfy Ventures), Syfy is a passport to limitless possibilities. Originally launched in 1992 as SCI FI Channel, and currently in more than 98 million homes, Syfy is a network of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies. (Syfy. Imagine greater.)


Erin Willard
Written by Erin Willard

Erin is the Editor In Chief and West Coast Correspondent for SciFiMafia.com