Second-Screen Tech Provider Watchwith Gets $5 Million Investment

Watchwith, which offers technology that allows TV content to sync with digital platforms, has pulled in $5 million in a funding round from an entity backed by Canada’s Rogers Communications as well as contributions from previous investors Arris (formerly Motorola Mobility) and Sony-owned Gracenote. Other company backers include Fox and NBCUniversal.

The sync-to-broadcast opportunities offer media companies and advertisers the chance to extend messages. Watchwith has propelled initiatives by Bravo, NBC and Syfy.

The Watchwith platform allows programmers to take their second-screen apps to other dual-screen facilitators, such as Shazam, Twitter and zeebox.

Rogers Venture Partners is a $150 million venture-capital firm with Rogers Communications its sole backer so far. The firm does not invest for Rogers, but gives companies it invests in the opportunity to work with the wireless, cable and programming giant.

Watchwith backer Gracenote allows recognition of music and TV content using metadata. It has descriptions of TV content in 28 countries.

Zeebox came to the U.S. last fall as Comcast and NBCUniversal made investments. About eight months before, the U.K.’s Sky took a 10% stake. Among other functions, it can propel e-commerce and Twitter and Facebook integration.

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