(Twitter) hashtags in broadcasting

I remember reading that after it was linked to in another thread here and as has been said already there is nothing Twitter can do to make broadcasters follow them.

I saw the promotion that sparked this discussion earlier and it does look silly having the text so large. I wonder if this is going to become more common on the trailers.

Of course Twitter would LOVE broadcasters to use the Twitter logo when they show a #tag on-screen, and provide them with a free on-screen plug. They'd love the free advertising. So would any other company.

Doesn't mean it is going to happen...

Twitter don't own the #sign or the concept of #tags. I bet they wish they did. But they don't...

I've always thought the best #tag promotions are the organic ones - where a broadcaster picks up on a tag that the audience have already started using and subtly promotes it with a relatively small on-screen graphic. Or if they want to start their own #tag they do it quietly.

The whole shouty, large graphic thing, smacks of people who don't use Twitter and don't understand it trying to join the party a bit late...

I agree - there is certain programmes that use the hashtag as a way of contact but for programmes such as the one being trailed, a hashtag will naturally become popular if Twitter users think it's worthy of tweeting about.

I'm reminded of the Dragon's Den example where they flagged up #bbcdragons during the first few episodes of the last series whilst everyone was busy using the more logical and of equal length #dragonsden, which they eventually amended it to.

As it's largely irrelevant to those who already know their way around Twitter, etc. for the reasons stated, does it really do much (or enough) to encourage those who aren't, thereby justifying its elevated screen presence?

There's no way that the BBC would use the Twitter logo even if it was enforceable, they'd just stop mentioning Twitter on air.

Skype introduced something similar a couple of years ago, broadcasters have to put a Skype logo onto the Skype 'feed'. That is more enforceable because Skype is a specific piece of software and can be put in the terms and conditions.

Although how Skype could be sure that a TV station is using their software is another matter

I think the on-screen hash-tags will last as long as the irritating user generated content craze which died a well deserved death after a few years.

The BBC now have a deal with Skype I believe - where 'so and so joins us via Skype' is all that is required. It acknowledges the platform (which the user and the BBC are using without payment) but doesn't require a permanent on-screen credit. It may be more complex than this - but I'm pretty certain sense prevailed.

They are, as you say, different scenarios though, and Skype have much more of a leg to stand on than Twitter in this regard.