Gala TV

In January 2009, the Gala Coral Group appointed etv to produce Gala TV - broadcast on the Sky and Freesat platforms as well as www.galabingo.com. The channel had previously been produced by Endemol UK however Gala Coral decided to re-launch the channel on 1st February 2009 with the aim of improving the channel’s performance.

Recruit a new and wider player base across all Gala platforms
Retain the Gala brand loyalists
Re-activate a player base that has churned through the channel
Engage the viewer - make bingo cool again
Create an entertainment experience that has the camaraderie of the bingo hall with the comfort of home

etv produces eight hours of live programming for Gala TV seven days a week, between 6pm and 2am on Sky channel 861, as well as elements of the auto-game which broadcast at other times. The channel is streamed live to the Gala TV website. Gala TV is unique in that it offers live studio-based bingo shows with audience interaction.

etv has designed and implemented a raft of interactive brand elements to enhance the viewer experience. We have created a new set design which puts players’ names up in lights, cementing their interest and encouraging new players to register. We also use the graphics to highlight other pieces of player information including their location and photo. These assets help bring the audience to life.

The virtual set is divided up into three parts – an interactive graphics area for the virtual communications, a podium area for the Gala Bingo caller and an area for the presenter to inform the viewer about the ways and benefits of joining the gameplay.

Other interactive graphics that enhance the viewer experience include the players and winners map. The graphic pulls data from a central bank of information and identifies the location of all the current players and winners. The map promotes camaraderie amongst the players and assists with measuring their odds of being a Gala TV winner.

To build up the gameplay community, etv has created the players wall which names all the participants who are waiting for one or two numbers. Displaying and featuring players names on screen rewards and celebrates everyone who is playing, not just the winners.

etv operates a Gala TV chat room where players can interact with the show’s presenters as well as each other. In the chat room, they can develop their own user profiles and form communities to celebrate wins and share player experiences.

The new interactive elements have created an atmosphere on the channel where there’s always something going on and players don’t want to miss the prizes. Gala TV awards 200,000 winners a year and gives away approximately £20,000 each night in prize money.

On the first night of the re-launched channel there was a 20% increase in ticket sales. During the first month since re-launch, the channel demonstrated significant upward trends in the number of unique players per night and the participation rate of those players. In June 2009, Gala TV achieved its best channel performance for any Monday or Wednesday night in the channel’s history.

Kevin Loman, Gala TV Manager, Gala Coral group said: "Gala TV is achieving consistently strong numbers despite the difficult current trading conditions – illustrating the engaging live show and the right mixture of games. The product is in fantastic shape for the wider market."