Yesterday I attended the "Top Chef: How Transmedia is Changing T.V." panel featuring Andy Cohen, Lisa Hsia (Executive Vice President of Bravo Digital Media), Aimee Viles, Dave Serwatka, and Top Chef judge Tom Colicchio (my personal favorite).

Moderated by Andy Cohen himself, this panel was just as entertaining as any Bravo television program. Lisa Hsia had some great information to provide on content in broadcasting and how the network operates in the social space. In fall of 2011, Bravo began focusing on transmedia and the fan & cast relations through new digital innovations.

If you're unsure what transmedia exactly is, Lisa explained it short and simple: "Story telling across platforms".  And this was the exact execution used during this past season of Top Chef: Texas. For those who got involved, the Twitter Quickfire challenge and Last Chance Kitchen web series were a few specific examples.

Bravo found that leveraging these executions after the show programming extended the Top Chef brand from one night to seven days, 24 hours. Connecting fans with the show/cast through these transmedia efforts successfully helped the show become the most streamed series to date across all of NBCU.

What’s Bravo’s next transmedia plan of attack? A Real Housewives of New York Facebook game they hope will bring in a new demographic and younger audience. This will also enable co-creation of content. Can’t wait to play!

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