i.TV, which operates a television guide mobile app, has bought entertainment social media company, GetGlue. i.TV didn’t disclose the terms of the deal.
The new owner said that GetGlue will retain its New York City offices and that it will continue to develop and operate GetGlue as an independent product. i.TV does intend to use its platform and partnerships to expand GetGlue.
At least one GetGlue employee out of the half dozen working out of Los Angeles has been laid off as a result of the acquisition: Public Relations director, Claire Gendel.
Also read: GetGlue Names Evan Krauss President – After Spotting Him on LinkedIn
Regarding additional layoffs, i.TV’s chief executive officer Brad Pelo told TheWrap, “Yes, there will be layoffs where there is overlap between the two companies.”
Pelo called GetGlue “an impressive product with a highly engaged audience” in Wednesday’s announcement of the acquisition:
“With over 4.5 million registered users, GetGlue delivers over 1 billion social impressions every month to 100 million unique Facebook and Twitter users. With this kind of reach, it’s no wonder more than 75 TV networks partner with GetGlue to engage with their fans, and 30 media companies integrate with the GetGlue API. i.TV’s own platform of second screen services power experiences for brands like Nintendo, AOL, Huffington Post, TELUS and i.TV’s own leading TV guide application. Together, i.TV and GetGlue will reshape the social TV and second screen landscape.”
Also read: GetGlue Not Merging With Viggle After All
Last November, TV social media app Viggle announced its intention to acquire GetGlue with a mix of cash and stock but the deal fell apart in January.
Alex Iskold founded GetGlue in 2007. The service enables users to tell friends what they’re watching, track their favorite shows, and find videos, images, and links.
i.TV’s TV guide app is one the most downloaded in the history of Apple’s App Store. The company designs and builds second screen and social TV experiences for brands including AOL, Huffington Post, Entertainment Weekly, and Nintendo. More than 15 million people use i.TV technology every month.