(28 November 2007 6:00 pm)

MUMBAI: AOL's social application platform Userplane has announced deals with network and cable television media partners in the US and UK to bring its social networking and community applications to their online destinations.

New broadcast partners Channel 4 (UK), The CW, Fuel TV and IFC have used Userplane's customisable communication tools, such as Webchat, Minichat and Webmessenger to further develop their online communities and increase the reach of their global fan-base by giving viewers a new interactive way to enjoy shows.

Userplane CEO Michael Jones says, “The integration of real time messaging applications allows media companies to create virtual water coolers where viewers can engage other fans of their favorite shows in real time. Userplane’s suite of applications allows media companies to turn any Web site into content-centric social networks, fostering true interaction among fans of popular brands.”

Userplane offers customisable communication tools, such as live Instant Messaging (IM) and chat that can be added to any site for free. More than 180,000 online communities have deployed Userplane applications – from social-networking communities to dating sites to blogs to news sites.