HBO is launching HBO Connect, a one-stop social media website for fans of the network's various programs.
Used as a "second screen" experience, HBO Connect gives viewers the chance to converse with other fans of their favorite series, and participate in live chats with show stars. The network described HBO Connect as a viral "water cooler" destination. Viewers can log in via their Facebook and Twitter accounts.
HBO Connect will also tell viewers which is the most popular content, provide show-specific feeds, feature a visual display what Twitter users are saying and detail ways fans can "connect" with HBO programming.
Treme's Wendell Pierce, Hung's Thomas Jane, How to Make it in America's Bryan Greenberg and True Blood's Janina Gavankar are slated to host live chats. Writers Jane Espenson (Game of Thrones), Jonathan Ames (Bored to Death) and documentarian Alexandra Pelosi (Citizen U.S.A.) are also expected to host live chats.
True Blood will be the first series to be featured, with TBwithdrawal.com, a special section devoted to the series' upcoming fourth season, premiering June 26. Twitter users who use the hashtags #tbwithdrawal and #waitingsucks will see their tweets displayed on the site.
HBO Connect can be accessed at www.hbo.com/connect.
