Category: Entertainment

Brits spend 182.5 hours per year searching for something to watch, study finds

Being stuck between multiple streaming services and debating what to watch can be time-consuming. A recent study by Currys uncovered how much time people spend choosing a programme or movie to watch and asked 2,018 Brits to understand their challenges and difficulties in selecting what to watch. Out of those asked, 10% admitted they spend up to 2 hours trying to find something to watch, with the average time spent, across all respondents, on this decision dilemma being 30 minutes a day.

For those who find themselves watching TV daily, this 30 minutes per day translates to a staggering 182.5 hours per year dedicated to the daunting task of deciding what to watch—equivalent to just over 7 days annually lost to “choice paralysis”.

The survey also revealed that nearly 60% admit that after endless scrolling, they give up on finding something to watch altogether.

Endless scrolling for the perfect show can lead to overwhelming anxiety, making the search for something enjoyable more stressful than fun.

Dr. George Fieldman, a Consultant Psychologist, offers insights into the reasons behind people’s anxiety when it comes to deciding what to watch on TV, he said: “Fear and danger are poorly correlated which means that people fear making the wrong choice. Even when it comes to picking something to watch on TV still comes with a fair amount of factors to consider which can lead you to spiral into anxiety. What you watch is a significant investment of time and people don’t want to make the wrong choice. It has to be worthwhile to justify spending that time which could be spent elsewhere.

“Those that suffer from anxiety are more likely to experience choice paralysis. This usually happens because making the right choice is important for them and they overestimate the impact of making the wrong decision.”

Brits only give shows 34 minutes to impress them

The study also revealed that UK viewers take a surprisingly short time to figure out if they want to continue watching a show or not, with the average decision time being 34 minutes to assess whether the unfolding plot or character dynamics align with expectations and preferences.

When it comes to movies, Brits take even less time to decide as the average time is just 30 minutes before turning it off.

The storyline was found to be the most important factor for 47% of Brits when choosing a TV program. Delving deeper into their considerations, the cast and actors follow closely at 41% and genre at 40% (with drama voted as the UK’s go-to genre). Combining this with the influence of reviews standing at 31%, it highlights a varied approach to viewers’ decision-making process.

Top pet peeves for Brits when trying to watch something 

Considering the hassle of trying to decide what to watch, the last thing Brits want is to be disturbed while viewing. The survey found that the top bug bear of Brits while watching a film or TV is someone talking, this being a top annoying habit for 45% of respondents.

Next is spoiling key moments for 32%, in joint third, people checking their phones (30%) and constantly asking about the plot (30%) and lastly falling asleep during the show or movie, which is a pet peeve for 27%.

Action % who find this annoying
Talking 45%
Spoiling key moments 32%
People checking phones 30%
Constantly asking about the plot 30%
Falling asleep 27%

You can find the full study here: https://www.currys.co.uk/techtalk/tv-advice/no-you-choose.html

Entertainment OS on Sky keeps getting smarter thanks to clever new features

A raft of new updates are set to launch on Sky Glass and Sky Stream through Entertainment OS, the operating system that keeps getting smarter. New features include a personalised recommendation rail, enhanced voice control options and lower latency on Sky Sports Main Event.

Five new Entertainment OS 1.2 features to try now: 

Tailored viewing recommendations with new personalised movie and TV genre rails…

  • Feeling stuck on what to watch next? With the latest personalised rails, it has never been easier with recommended TV shows and movies based on genres you’ve watched.
  • If you’ve been engrossed in ‘Ferrari’ or ‘Oppenheimer’, personalised genre rails will showcase similar biographical and historical dramas. Designed to recommend more than 30 different genres, from the most popular to the most niche, they help you discover the content you love.
  • Movie recommendations are available to try now, with the feature launching for TV shows soon.

Your favourite actors, all in one place

  • Show Pages now include a Cast and Crew rail featuring the actors from the TV series or movie you’re watching. This allows you to discover everything they’ve ever been in and brings up new suggestions for you to watch.

“Hello Sky, rewind”

  • A much-loved feature on Sky Q has come to Sky Glass and Sky Stream. You can now fast forward and rewind using your voice, so you can skip to the good bits or re-wind and enjoy all the best dialogue from Succession all over again.

Find the music you love, faster

  • You can now use your voice to find your favourites on Amazon Music and ROXi. Simply saying “Fred Again on Amazon Music” or “Harry Styles on ROXi” will launch the app and find Fred Again or Harry Styles singles & albums on the artist page.

Playlist with personality

  • You can now personalise your playlist even further with a range of new character avatars. Kids can choose from popular characters including favourites from Paw Patrol, Scooby Doo, Peppa Pig, SpongeBob, Trolls and Pip & Posy. We’ll be adding more avatars later this year.

Entertainment OS 1.3 features, rolling out from May:

 

Auto Game Mode levels up gameplay

  • Good news for gamers, Auto Game Mode is launching on Sky Glass which uses Auto Low Latency (ALLM) to offer a more responsive gaming experience for casual players. Simply plug in your console and Sky Glass will automatically switch to Auto Game Mode.

Add actors to your Playlist

  • Add your favourite actors to your playlist, and then easily find movies and TV shows they’ve been in to watch whenever you want. Soon, football fans will be able to follow their teams to enjoy the latest matches all in one place.
  • Simply press the + button on the remote whilst browsing for people in the UI, e.g. from the new Cast & Crew rail on the show page, or search for your favourite people and add from there. When a person has been added, you can find them within a ‘People you follow’ rail within the playlist section.

“Hello Sky, add to Playlist”

  • You’ll be able to use your voice to add movies and shows to your playlist. Simply go to the show or movie page and say, “Hello Sky, add to playlist” to save things you want to watch later.

Sky Sports Main Event soon to be available in Low Latency

  • Sky Sports Main Event viewers will soon be able to watch the channel in Low Latency, reducing the time between the action on the pitch and watching on your Sky Glass or Stream. Latency has been reduced by over 20 seconds, which means you can now watch your favourite sports faster than many other streaming services.
  • Sky Sports Main Event viewers will be able to watch sports in Low Latency over the coming months, before being rolled out to other Sky Sports channels this year.

Show Page to show Rotten Tomatoes ratings

  • Show pages will feature Rotten Tomatoes scores to save the hassle of googling a rating before jumping into a movie, as well as a range of new icons.

Enjoy all your favourite shows and movies with subtitles

  • All Ultra HD on demand content, including Sky Nature shows and blockbuster films, will have the option for subtitles by the end of the summer – a feature already available on HD
  • Coming soon, Audio Description, a popular feature on our TV channels, will also be available on video on demand content

Eat, sleep, game, repeat with new Sky Live games

Sky Live, our innovative smart camera tailor-made for Sky Glass, transforms your TV experience, offering an endless range of interactive experiences. New motion games for all the family to enjoy are regularly added to the platform, including:

Basketball Knockout

  • Become a basketball pro by getting as many basketballs as possible through the hoop, either in arcade style, or one on one or against a friend. Available to play now.

Tennis Smash: Racketville

  • Inspired by the action on Sky Sports Tennis? Channel your inner Andy Murray or Emma Raducanu and get moving in Sky Live’s new tennis motion game.
  • Using your hands to hit the virtual tennis ball, players can play tournament style games as various characters. Players can also unlock more characters as they play more games.
  • Tennis Smash: Racketville will be available for Sky Live customers soon.

Starri

  • You can now play two-player in Starri, the music rhythm game. Battle it out against your friends to see who has the best moves.

For more information about Sky Glass and Sky Stream and for pricing, visit Sky.com/ie.

Real Money Games in Ireland

Ireland is a great destination for gamblers because they have regulations and laws that allow gambling. This means that players can play all sorts of games from licensed gaming operators in the region. Irish players can also enjoy real money games, which are the bread and butter of gamblers around the world. There are different types of real money games available to players in Ireland and we will be examining some of them in this guide. These real money games improve the quality of the gaming experience in Ireland and allow players to get the most value for money.  

What Are Real Money Games?

Real money games are games that allow players to win money that can be withdrawn. Simply put, they are games that allow players to stake their own money to win money from a game. This is different from demo games, which do not require money and can be played  for free. Using websites like betpack, players can see the casinos that offer real money games to players in Ireland. Real money games usually have maximum/minimum deposit amounts, multipliers, bonuses, and other in-game features that determine how much players are able to collect.

Real Money Money Games Available in Ireland

As a player in Ireland, there are many real money games that are available to you. These games include the following:

Slots

Slots are games of chance that require players to spin a reel to match symbols along paylines. There are different kinds of slots, including 3 reel, 5 reel, progressive, fixed, and special slots. Furthermore, there are video slots which give players an improved experience because of their graphics and play style. Jackpots are another feature of slots that multiply the amounts that players win. These jackpots can run into millions of dollars, depending on the slot and provider. 

Table Games

Table games are some of the most popular games available to players at online casinos. These games have different rules and play styles which determine how wins occur. Some of the table games available at casinos in Ireland include blackjack, poker, baccarat, roulette, and craps. Most table games are played against a dealer or banker (the casino) but some, like poker, pits players against themselves. Table games are controlled using Random Number Generators (RNGs) which ensure that the games are fair and balanced. 

Lotteries and Bingo

Lotteries are scratch card games where players purchase random cards in the hope of getting the right number combinations. These are among the oldest games played by gamblers and they provide the opportunity of winning millions with one ticket. About 1.3 million adults living in Ireland are said to play the lottery which goes to show how much of an impact this has on the populace. 

Bingo on the other hand is similar to the lottery but players have to match the numbers on their purchased cards to the numbers provided. The more numbers they have, the higher the amount they win. Getting a perfect match wins the player the highest amount up for grabs. 

Live Games

Live games are online real money games where players are immersed into a video experience. These games have live dealers and players would also be able to play with other players from the comfort of their preferred devices. It is important for players to have a reliable internet connection from providers like esimatic to fully enjoy live games. This experience was designed to give players a feel of gambling at a physical casino. It improves the online gambling experience and allows players to interact with other participants. Most table games have a live version but some other examples include Monopoly Live and Deal or No Deal.

Sports Betting

Sports betting is huge in Ireland as punters place wagers on their favorite sports including football, tennis, basketball, and rugby. There are different bookmakers that provide the odds and exchanges that allow players to bet against each other. Bets are won when predictions come true and players are only allowed to stake real money. Where applicable, players can use their bonus money to place bets on their favorite sports or teams. 

Tips to Playing Real Money Games

When playing real money games, there are some tips you can use to improve your chances of winning. Some tips you should try include:

 

  • Choose Registered Gambling Websites: Always use websites that are registered with the appropriate regulatory body. Doing this will help you to avoid predatory websites that may steal your information or money. Always verify the registration status of any gambling operator before you use them.

 

  • Learn the Games: Do not put money on games you do not understand as this is the quickest way for you to lose your money. Only play games that you understand or learn how the game works properly. Using the demo mode where possible is always a good idea. 

 

  • Use Bonuses: Bonuses increase your bankroll but also allow you to bet without using your money first. Take advantage of all the bonuses you can and ensure that you use them to maximize your wins. 

 

  • Use a Budget: Budget your spend on games and do not exceed this budget when it is exhausted. Budgeting helps you to manage your bankroll and it prevents you from spending all your money on gambling. Once your budget has been spent, stop all gambling activity.

 

  • Make Small Bets: You do not always have  to make large bets when gambling. Start with small bets and pace yourself throughout your gambling session. 

Ireland As a Destination For Gamblers

Ireland is a great destination for gamblers who want to enjoy a range of real money games. These games cut across various genres including slots, table games, and live games. It is important to only gamble at licensed casinos, as this will protect you from predatory operators. Furthermore, we also provided tips that we think you should follow if you want to have a pleasurable real money gambling experience. Manage your bankroll wisely and do not bet more than you are willing to lose while you gamble. 

 

Why Combining Different Ways of Playing Is Taking Off

Evolving technology has changed the way we play and it’s also led to some intriguing hybrid games where two ideas are mashed together. We’ve seen some examples of games lately that prove that combining two or more ways of playing tends to be memorable when done well.  

Slingo Combines Bingo and Slots

You probably know that bingo and slot machines are very simple gambling games. Both games have successfully moved online and diversified with new themes and features being added to them. However, the emergence of the Slngo genre that combines them is a fairly recent phenomenon you might not have noticed yet.

Sligo games are typically listed on a bingo site alongside different versions of bingos and slots. Each time you play you’re shown a grid of numbers, as you would expect to see a bingo card. Press the spin button to see what numbers pop up, with these numbers marked off your card. The more winning lines you complete, the higher the prize. Games like Slingo Money Train and Slingo Da Vinci Diamonds are based on popular slots and introduce some elements of their gameplay too. 

Mobile Versions of Classic Board Games

Board games have been popular in many different forms over the centuries, with chess and the Egyptian game of senet among the oldest types that we’re aware of. Mobile technology now gives us a way of accessing board games at any time highly conveniently, providing a simple way to try many different games from around the planet or even to discover historic games that are no longer widely played on physical boards.

This list of some of the best mobile board games includes the fairly complex Brass and Steam city-building games by renowned developer Martin Wallace, where players need to build up their economy in a realistic way. While mobile gaming was once based on simple casual games with basic controls and few rules, this genre gives a good example of how more complexity and mature themes can be added.

Rogeuelike Games with Cards to Collect

The roguelike deck-building genre has grown enormously in popularity in recent years. These are based on a deck-building card game with a large element of randomness added to create exciting and highly varied gameplay around different themes. The history can be traced back to the medieval-themed Dominion deck-building game that was released in 2008 and led to many similar games being created in the following years.

A good example can be seen with dev_hell, which sees players take on the role of a software developer who works for a corporation that’s reshaping the future of the world. Developed by Unhinged Studios, it’s about drawing cards and then using them against databases and anonymous feedback while trying to hold onto your job. This game is due for release later in 2024.

All of these different ways of playing have been inspired by two or more original games and that results in a fascinating combination of features and gameplay that makes them appealing to different kinds of players. 

Dating as a single dad: Tips that will help you

Most people think that dating as a single father is way easier than it is for single moms, and they’re right – women love responsible guys who love kids and want to create families. Meanwhile, guys might feel confused by how to date as a single dad. In fact, by using some dating sites for single fathers like https://www.dating.com/ and knowing some tips, you can find your love easily!

Prioritize Self-Discovery

Before venturing into the dating world, take the time for self-discovery. Understand your values, priorities, and what you’re looking for in a partner. This self-awareness will guide your choices and contribute to a more fulfilling dating experience.

Balance Your Roles Mindfully

Strive for a mindful balance between your role as a parent and your personal life. Clearly communicate your availability and schedule with potential partners. This upfront transparency sets the tone for understanding and mutual respect.

Choose Quality Over Quantity

Instead of pursuing a high quantity of dates, prioritize quality connections. When using a dating site for single dads, focus on ladies who not only respect your role as a single dad but also appreciate the unique dynamics it brings. Quality relationships add to a more enriching life.

Integrate Family-Friendly Activities

When planning dates, consider activities that can include your child if appropriate. This not only showcases your commitment to your child but also allows potential partners to witness your parenting style in action.

Be Transparent About Your Priorities

From the outset, communicate openly about your priorities. Let potential partners know about the importance of your child in your life and how you manage your time. Transparency fosters a foundation of trust and understanding.

Engage in Thoughtful Conversations

Move beyond surface-level discussions and engage in thoughtful dialogues. Share your experiences, values, and goals, and also encourage your date to do the same. Meaningful conversations contribute to a deeper connection.

Celebrate Your Parenting Strengths

Acknowledge and celebrate your strengths as a single dad. Enjoy the resilience, dedication, and love you bring to your parenting journey. Demonstrating confidence in your role attracts partners who appreciate and admire these qualities.

Be Open to Learning

Approach dating with an open mind and be willing to learn from each experience. Each interaction offers insights into your preferences and helps refine what you’re looking for in a partner.

Navigate Introductions Thoughtfully

If the relationship progresses and introductions are on the horizon, approach them thoughtfully. Consider the comfort of both your child and your potential partner, ensuring that the introduction is a positive and inclusive experience.

Elevate Your Self-Care

Make a conscious effort to prioritize self-care as a fundamental aspect of your routine. Allocate time for little things that bring you real joy and relaxation, nurturing your overall well-being. By tending to your personal needs, you cultivate a positive mindset that actually contributes to the health and vitality of your relationships.

Celebrate Shared Interests

Look for partners who share your real interests and also values. Celebrating shared hobbies or activities fosters a deeper connection and can create a harmonious family dynamic if the relationship progresses.

Cultivate a Supportive Community

Forge connections with a supportive network of friends and family who comprehend and champion your path as a single dad. A robust support system not only offers valuable guidance but also uplifts your confidence throughout the dating journey. Embracing a community that understands and uplifts you creates a foundation for success in your personal and relational endeavors.

THE GIRLS IN GREEN LEGACY: Seeing Televised Professional Sport provides A Real Incentive To Take It Up, But Access To Local Clubs Is Vital

More than 2.4m people watched RTÉ television’s coverage of the Women’s Football World Cup in Australia and New Zealand last summer.  In that tournament, the Republic of Ireland’s game against Canada was the most watched women’s team sport event in Irish TV history with an average of 551,000 viewers.

New research from Royal London, the founding partner of the first British and Irish Lions Women’s Rugby Tour, shows the wider significance of viewing figures like these. Almost one in four (24%) of parents surveyed across Ireland say the more sport is shown on TV, the more likely their children are to take it up. Furthermore, 15% of parents in Ireland say their child took up a team sport after seeing it live professionally, and 15% say their child got into team sports as they were inspired watching a sporting role model on TV. However, the ability to play alongside their friends is also a big draw for children when it comes to sport, with more than one in three (35%) of the parents in Ireland surveyed citing the opportunity to play alongside their friends as the reason their children became interested in sport.

Over a fifth (23%) of parents in Ireland say their children have been involved in team sports due to having access to a local club. When looking at how realistic this is for children across Ireland, more than seven in ten (72%) of adults have a sports club within half an hour of their home. However, one in five (22%) have to travel longer than 30 minutes, while 6% don’t know where their local sports club is. Interestingly, while the numbers were low overall, of the women surveyed, they were seven times as likely as men not to know the location of their local sports club (7pc of women versus 1pc of men).

When reflecting on their own decision to take up team sports, 44% of adults in Ireland did so to play with friends and three in ten (30%) said it was a fun way to keep fit that wasn’t solo. A quarter (25%) were encouraged to play by a teacher or coach.

Shaunagh Brown, professional rugby player for England and Harlequins, says: “This Women’s Lions tour, the first of its kind, will allow more people to witness women playing rugby at a high level. I was interested, but not surprised, that the research showed more adults would consider taking up a team sport if they saw people who looked and sounded like them playing it. To believe you can do it, you have to see someone like you living, breathing and enjoying it. And, even if you don’t end up following a professional path with sport, the benefits you will feel from playing as part of a team in terms of greater confidence, resilience and improved social skills will be with you for the rest of your life.”

Susie Logan, chief marketing officer at Royal London says: “At present, through either a lack of airtime or wider exposure, some women’s sports have not yet been visible enough to inspire future generations.

The blend of seeing it played well on TV and taking it up with friends is key. Team sports create a community and can become an important part of a child’s development. We need to keep striving towards equality at all levels, whether that be what’s televised or at grassroots. Both are essential to create foundations for the future and give every child the inspiration and access they need to thrive playing team sport. This is why we’re proud to partner with the first British and Irish Lions Women’s Rugby Tour.

Royal London has been announced as Founding Partner of the first ever Lions Women’s team. The partnership will see Royal London invest in player development in each of The British & Irish Lions constituent Unions through the delivery of a special elite players’ Pathways Funding grant. The grants will support the elite women’s player and coach pathways in Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and England, to help Unions develop more players and coaches capable of being selected for the inaugural Lions Women’s Tour. In addition, Royal London will also be investing in women’s and girls’ grassroots rugby across the UK and Ireland in the run-up to the Tour.”

Exploring the World of Entertainment Metadata Solutions

In an age where our digital ecosystem is a vast library of cinematic and musical delights, the seemingly mundane, invisible threads of data play an extraordinary role. Imagine the panoramic shot in a movie, depicting the grandeur and scope of an ethereal landscape. Now, consider metadata as that film’s narrative, its ability to segment and index the different elements of that landscape – the characters, the hills, the valleys, the sky – into searchable, analyzable, and most importantly, enjoyable components. In this discourse, we dive into the world of metadata cataloging, exploring its transformational power in the entertainment industry, and beyond.

Streamlining Metadata for Enhanced User Engagement

In the vast expanse of digital content, metadata serves as the lighthouse, guiding users through a sea of cinematic and musical choices to deliver tailored recommendations. Finding the right entertainment metadata provider can make all the difference in creating an engaging and personalized user experience. It transcends basic labels, delving into the layers of storytelling – the cast’s chemistry, music’s rhythm, even a hue significant to the narrative – all to replicate the intricacy of human preferences. The art of metadata optimization lies in training algorithms to sift through this nuance, emulating human curiosity and ensuring that the content that surfaces captures the essence of search queries.

Uniform Standardization Protocols for Cross-Platform Consistency

Behind every enthralling story, there’s a silent narrative – that of the men and women working tirelessly to standardize metadata worldwide. This governance ensures a show is “Westworld” in the U.S., in the U.K., and Japan. It’s not a trivial pursuit; it’s the difference between a successful global roll-out and a flurry of customer complaints. Imagine scrolling through titles when a movie you know by a different name appears. Or worse yet, not at all. Such inconsistencies are the Achilles heel of the cross-platform experience. They result in user frustration and, critically, lost viewership and engagement.

AI-Driven Advanced Tagging for Precision Classification

AI brings to the fore the very best in content categorization. Its learning is based on colossal datasets, sipping through movies and their data like the finest sommelier at a wine tasting. But AI doesn’t just learn; it adapts. As new genres proliferate and old ones evolve, AI is on the front line, ensuring no tag is deprecated or overvalued. When AI merges with the art of storytelling, that’s when the magic happens. An algorithm that understands why “The Room” is “So Bad, It’s Good” as distinguishable from “The Godfather” is an algorithm worth its weight in data. It’s not just about meticulous categorization; it’s the finesse to discern nuance in the digital realm.

Mechanisms for Real-Time Updates Maintaining Relevancy

Think of this as the metadata’s “Iron Man” suit. In a world of ‘in-the-moment’ Olympic highlights and ‘just-dropped’ album analysis, the metadata must keep up. This need for speed means streamlined protocols, automated updates, and vigilance against ‘tag rot.’ A show’s director reveals an epic surprise ending, only for the metadata to spoil it for a latecomer binge-watcher. Stagnant metadata, especially in the spoiler-averse climate, is more than a mere inconvenience; it’s a business liability.

Strengthened Metadata Security: Keeping Data Safe and Compliant

Metadata is a window to user lives’ and their preferences. The ethical responsibility to safeguard this digital identity is critical. GDPR, CCPA, and other international data protection laws aren’t buzzwords – they’re the walls around users’ digital homes. Metadata security isn’t just a digital padlock; it’s a fortress. Advanced protocols, end-to-end encryption, and regular security audits are the industry norms. But just as important as the technological armor is the culture of privacy, ingrained in every employee and partner.

The reduction of metadata to mere keywords and tags is an understatement. It’s the backbone of the next-generation entertainment experience, perpetually evolving to serve the global village of viewers. For the media professional, the data analyst, and the SEO enthusiast, the world of metadata solutions isn’t just a tool; it’s an entire cosmos of potential. The symbiotic relationship between metadata and the entertainment industry isn’t just a matter of syncopated growth. It’s a narrative interweave, a tale of technology and taste, taxonomy and artistry that promises one thing – an ever-more delightful and personalized media landscape.

IRISH COMPANY’S METAVERSE TALK SHOW, “The Xavatar Show” secures landmark deal to air to over 64 million homes in the United States

Kerry based Irish success story, Xavatar, has announced that its new multimedia CGI-animated, metaverse talk show, The Xavatar Show will be aired to over 64 million US homes via America’s premiere arts network – Ovation TV, and family-friendly cable television network – UPtv.

The Xavatar Show will be the first CGI-animated show to be broadcast straight from the metaverse. The talk show explores the impact and artistry of music in film, TV, and Broadway through enlightening conversations with globally recognised filmmakers, actors, and songwriters.

The Xavatar Show will be hosted by film and television star, Colin O’Donoghue (ABC’s “Once Upon a Time”), legendary indie film producer, Rose Ganguzza (Fatima, Kill Your Darlings), and Xavatar show creator Jason P. Rothberg. The high concept talk show will welcome some of the biggest names in music and film to discuss their lives, experiences, and accomplishments.

Irish musician and songwriter, Paddy Casey has also joined as the musical director for the Xavatar show.

Using state-of-the-art technology to take the experience one step further, the show provides a portal for viewers to actively join the talk show, allowing viewers to explore the very places the guests talk about during the show. Once inside Xavatar’s metaverse, the “Xataverse,” viewers can download their Xavatars and connect to the show in a new way.

 

Initially previewed at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023, The Xavatar Show featured prominent musicians and filmmakers including David Lynch, Donovan, Elvis Costello.

Based in the RDI Hub in Killorglin, Co. Kerry, Xavatar is an immersive, experiential media company bridging the worlds of technology and entertainment and leading the way to connectivity in the new media era.

“I’m thrilled to be involved in this ground-breaking series”, says host and executive producer, Colin O’Donoghue. “I’m delighted to have this opportunity to discuss two of my favourite topics, movies and music with fellow actors, musicians and filmmakers. I believe The Xavatar Show could be a gateway to a whole new world of immersive entertainment which allows the viewer to connect with the show in a new way, exploring celerity driven environments and interacting with their favourite artists in an immersive way.”

“The relationship between film and music has been around since the birth of moving pictures and creating a platform that delves into the rich history and symbiotic relationship between mediums has been fascinating,” says co-host and producer, Rose Ganguzza. “The Xavatar Show presents unique stories from top-level creatives, artists and legends that wonderfully showcase the interplay between these two creative mediums.”  

“The Xavatar Show is poised to lead the way in the new digital frontier of immersive media allowing viewers to expand their horizons within the Xataverse by attending the show as their Xavatar selves on the Xavatar space station.” said chief executive officer, Jason Rothberg. “These are really exciting times for individuals, like us, who deeply care about the connective tissue between music and film and how each medium progresses in a world with an increasing digital footprint.”

PlayPilot Integrates with Leading Podcast Providers to Boost Discoverability

PlayPilot, the premier platform for discovering movies and series across all streaming services, has leaped into the dynamic world of podcasts. Aiming to enhance podcast discoverability, PlayPilot has integrated with top podcast providers, including Apple, Google and Spotify podcasts, bridging the gap between visual and audio entertainment. 

“With millions of podcasts released each year, both by amateur enthusiasts and seasoned professionals, discovering high-quality content has become a formidable challenge”, says David Mühle, Co-CEO at PlayPilot. “We’re addressing this issue by offering a one-stop solution for users seeking both visual and auditory entertainment.” 

Discover and Recommend with Ease 

PlayPilot’s new podcast feature allows users to not only access an extensive library of podcasts but also search for and discover related movies, series, and podcasts effortlessly. Users can explore curated collections from the best of both worlds, offering a holistic entertainment experience. 

“Discovering great podcasts should be as easy as finding a great movie,” says David Mühle. ”Our platform enables users to seamlessly transition between visual and audio content while providing recommendations from fellow users and podcast creators. It’s about simplifying the discovery process and enhancing the overall entertainment journey.” 

Commitment to community-driven content curation Users can share their personalized collections with favorite movies/series and podcasts, fostering a sense of community among entertainment enthusiasts. This approach empowers users to curate content that resonates with their tastes and to discover hidden gems they might have missed. 

The PlayPilot app is free and available on App Store and Google Play. ______________________________________________________________________ 

About PlayPilot 

PlayPilot is a pioneering platform dedicated to helping users discover the best movies, series, and podcasts across all streaming services. With a mission to simplify entertainment discovery, PlayPilot’s innovative features and community-driven approach make it the ultimate destination for entertainment enthusiasts.