Twitter acquires SnappyTV to offer real-time video

Acquisition sign

Twitter has acquired video platform SnappyTV, allowing TV broadcasters, businesses and event producers to post real-time video clips on their timelines.

SnappyTV was founded four years ago and allows publishers to edit, upload and share video from television broadcasts.

Although many companies are already using the SnappyTV service to produce videos via Twitter Amplify, the new acquisition will mean Twitter can improve the services already available.

Twitter says it plans to integrate the service more tightly with the network, ensuring Twitter's partners can continue to use SnappyTV to share videos on other social networks too.

Baljeet Singh, director of product management at Twitter, said the company is committed to its partners offering more immersive content.

"Our goal is to help publishers quickly share great moments from events so people can experience those moments as they happen," he said.

"Together, we've worked with the biggest content partners in the world to inject the best video content into Twitter's real-time conversation, straight from the TV to your mobile device."

SnappyTV's David Yun added: "Joining Twitter will allow us to provide an even better product and bring the platform to more content owners and event organisers throughout the world. We will be able to further our goal of empowering people to share the world's best moments."

The acquisition will add another string to Twitter's bow as the social network struggles to attract more users. It recently announced it will allow people to share animated gifs on timelines using both the Android and iOS apps and the web interface.

However, the move didn't stop the company's operating chief Ali Rowghani stepping down from his post earlier in June when Twitter user numbers starting slowing.

Clare Hopping
Freelance writer

Clare is the founder of Blue Cactus Digital, a digital marketing company that helps ethical and sustainability-focused businesses grow their customer base.

Prior to becoming a marketer, Clare was a journalist, working at a range of mobile device-focused outlets including Know Your Mobile before moving into freelance life.

As a freelance writer, she drew on her expertise in mobility to write features and guides for ITPro, as well as regularly writing news stories on a wide range of topics.