#Winning

The interaction with viewers and fans via Social Media is booming buisiness in TV-land. Especially talent shows like The Winner Is make use of Facebook, Hyves and Twitter to enable viewers to feel connected to the show and the contestants.

The nation's ice skating pride Sven Kramer must have liked this concept. He held a contest via his Facebook and Twitter accounts. His fans were asked to predict Kramers 5km time at the World Distance Championships in Thialf, Heerenveen. An awesome reward was reserved for the winners, something worth winning for any single one of Sven Kramers fans: A real Sven Kramer skating suit! The winner on Facebook wins a TVM suit, while the Twitter winner receives a KPN suit.


The contest was a big success, more than 5000 people decided to make a guess about Kramers finishing time. Result: watching the men's 5km race was even more exciting with the possibility of winning a suit! Kramer finished his race in 6.13.87, which was predicted exactly on Facebook as well as on Twitter.

Since this contest was such a success, other sportsmen may decide to hold their own Social Media contests. It adds a new dimension to watching sports on the television, and let's be honest: who wouldn't want to win gear your favourite athlete uses?