USA Network Continues to Innovate with Industry-First Entertainment Check-in App on Android

NEW YORK, April 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- USA Network today announced a comprehensive, second-screen approach to accompany its upcoming reality competition series, WWE TOUGH ENOUGH. The new initiative includes a first-ever Android and iOS (iPhone and iPad) app that incorporates a complete social television experience, including sharing through USA's proprietary chatter platform for instant communications, an affinity rewards program and connectivity with Facebook. The app acts like a social entertainment check-in service, while connecting fans to social and mobile features that enable them to not only interact with each other, but for the first time, with show participants, via Android or iOS devices. This enables fans more ways than ever to collect points for interacting with their favorite shows, which they can use to unlock exclusive content or redeem them towards virtual and real goods.

"Our digital team is truly taking the competition to the mats with USA's new series. Our second-screen app experience provides us the opportunity to engage with fans in real-time around a franchise they love," said Jesse Redniss, vice president of digital, USA Network.  

Through the course of the show, fans will be able to seamlessly check-in to unlock exclusive WWE TOUGH ENOUGH content, and be linked with USA's affinity rewards program, Tough Club.  Members will be able to rack up Tough Club Points via the show's website or remotely on their mobile devices. While accruing points and interacting with content, fans will also be able to share their favorite show moments and chat with other fans through the WWE TOUGH ENOUGH chatter feature at www.wwetoughenough.com.

Starting with the first episode of WWE TOUGH ENOUGH, Tough Club users will be able to begin accessing exclusive content by inputting keywords that will be promoted in-show, online and via various Tough Enough destinations. The keywords will unlock hidden treasures, such as videos, photos and more through the new Android and iOS apps. Fans will also have access to social platform features that will allow users to keep friends abreast of their actions, before, during and after the program in a real-time experience.

The app was designed by USA and developed in conjunction with Digitaria (www.digitaria.com) the San Diego based digital strategy, design, technology and marketing company.

WWE TOUGH ENOUGH is USA's new reality competition series hosted by WWE Legend Stone Cold Steve Austin and includes 14 contestants (including Miss USA Rima Fakih) competing to become the next WWE Superstar, under the guidance of trainers such as WWE Legends Booker T and Trish Stratus. WWE TOUGH ENOUGH premieres the night after Wrestlemania XXVII, Monday, April 4, immediately following Raw at 11:05/10:05c, then moves to its regular timeslot, Mondays at 8/7c starting April 11.

To become a member of Character Reward's Tough Club and see the new features, please visit www.toughenough.com.

USA Network is the #1 network in all of basic cable and is seen in over 102 million U.S. homes.  A division of NBC Universal, USA is the cable television leader in original series and home to the best in blockbuster theatrical films, acquired television series and entertainment events. The award-winning USA website is located at www.usanetwork.com. Characters Welcome.

USA Network is a program service of NBC Universal Cable a division of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience.

SOURCE USA Network