The end is just the beginning to Showcase's all new Continuum Interactive Vine initiative

Initiative leverages digital media's newest video-sharing app to expand the TV narrative and encourage fan created content

Audience participation will affect season two finale

View demo here bit.ly/11QlP5D

TORONTO, April 29, 2013 /CNW/ - Showcase unleashes the first fully integrated convergence of Vine and dramatic television with Continuum Interactive. The online initiative developed by Showcase in association with Secret Location, curates digital storytelling that will live on Showcase.ca/continuum, Twitter and Facebook. The multi-layered initiative empowers fans of Continuum to decide the outcome of the season two finale, through sharing and creating original social content.

Using the innovative video application Vine, six-second web-exclusive videos will be released on showcase.ca/continuum by an anonymous webmaster after each new episode of the series. The videos will focus on the pro and anti Liber8 conflict within Continuum and expand on the mythology of the series. Existing and new audiences can voice their opinions on the webmaster's videos by sharing the videos and tweeting @Liber8Now or @1FutureOurWay, by posting them on Facebook, or by creating their own Vine videos.

Other ways fans can engage with the narrative is by tweeting @ContinuumSeries using the unique hashtags #Liber8Now and #1FutureOurWay. By picking a hashtag, fans are choosing a side on the debate, which will ultimately influence the outcome of the season two finale. As an added bonus, the more viewers interact with the videos, the greater their chance of being rewarded with merchandise and social shout-outs from the cast.

Housed in a sleek and visually tantalizing interface, viewers can easily navigate through the videos and other exclusive content that expands on the central themes of the series. Fans can also keep a score on the debate by frequently checking the website's poll to see which side is in the lead.

"We know our fans wanted to dive deeper into the robust Continuum universe, so we leveraged the series' storyline and created a digital narrative to enrich the overall viewing experience," said Chris Harris, Head of Social Media, Shaw Media. "This initiative is a solid example of our steadfast commitment to pushing the boundaries of digital storytelling and social innovation, and giving our audiences the most engaging show experience possible."

"This is a rare opportunity for viewers because it gives the audience the ability to actually control the narrative of Continuum, which is really exciting for fans," said James Milward, Founder / Executive Producer, Secret Location. "We are also ecstatic about using Vine to spread the online story across various social channels and execute one-on-one engagement."

The second season of the critically acclaimed series continues Kiera's (Rachel Nichols) uneasy alliance with Detective Carlos Fonnegra (Victor Webster), and sees her grapple with the big question that closed the first season - why was she sent back in time? While Alec (Erik Knudsen) struggles to understand the implications of the mysterious message he received from his future self, the Liber8 terrorists become more strategic and even more lethal as they seek to ward off what they see as the seeds of a disastrous future. Continuum season two premieres Sunday, April 21 at 9pm et/pt on Showcase.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
Website: www.showcase.ca/continuum
Twitter: @showcasedotca, @continuumseries
Facebook: facebook.com/showcasedotca, facebook.com/continuumseries

Follow:
@RachelNichols1
@webstervictor
@ErikKWKnudsen
@MrL080
@therogercross
@LexaShmexa
@OmariAkilNewton
@Luvia_Petersen

Showcase is a Shaw Media Network

About Shaw Communications Inc.
Shaw is a diversified communications and media company, providing consumers with broadband cable television, High-Speed Internet, Home Phone, telecommunications services (through Shaw Business), satellite direct-to-home services (through Shaw Direct) and engaging programming content (through Shaw Media). Shaw serves 3.4 million customers, through a reliable and extensive fibre network. Shaw Media operates one of the largest conventional television networks in Canada, Global Television, and 19 specialty networks including HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada, HISTORY and Showcase. Shaw is traded on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges and is included in the S&P/TSX 60 Index (Symbol: TSX - SJR.B, NYSE - SJR). For more information about Shaw, please visit www.shaw.ca.

 

Video with caption: "Video: Social Media Expands the World of Continuum". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20130429_C6498_VIDEO_EN_26106.mp4&posterurl=http://photos.newswire.ca/images/20130429_C6498_PHOTO_EN_26106.jpg&clientName=Showcase&caption=Video%3A%20Social%20Media%20Expands%20the%20World%20of%20Continuum&title=SHOWCASE%20%2D%20The%20end%20is%20just%20the%20beginning%20to%20Showcase%27s%20all%20new%20Continuum%20Interactive%20Vine%20initiative&headline=The%20end%20is%20just%20the%20beginning%20to%20Showcase%27s%20all%20new%20Continuum%20Interactive%20Vine%20initiative

SOURCE: Showcase

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