Sillerman back with social-TV venture

SillermanThe guy who went the organization that is the owner of "The American Idol ShowInch has returned to consider another crack in the entertainment business.Robert F.X. Sillerman, former Boss of CKX Entertainment, went public Wednesday with launch plans for that first product to become launched under his oddly named new company, Function(x). The venture is getting into the nascent social-TV space with a brand new application, named Viggle, that rewards audiences for watching television having a loyalty program similar to the type air carriers have used for a long time.Just what Sillerman been on mind with Function(x) continues to be shrouded in mystery since he clicked up an inactive company, Gateway Industries, nearly last year and re-named it without having to say much beyond an intent to obtain into the media business.Sillerman already designed a reputation for themself at CKX, which possessed production company 19 Entertainment, the firm behind "Idol" and also the certification privileges to dead celebs including Elvis and Muhammad Ali. Before beginning CKX in 2005, Sillerman bought and offered major holdings within the radio and concert companies.But Sillerman remained sitting on the sidelines at CKX determination futile bid to retain charge of the organization. He was changed as Boss of CKX, that was offered this past year to several traders brought by Appollo Global Management.Now Sillerman has returned with Viggle, likely the very first of the number of services that'll be situated in the intersection of media and technology. Viggle is an additional check-operating similar to GetGlue and Miso however with a twist: Rather than badges and peel off stickers, its point system means larger gifts from companies including Hamburger King, Fandango and Hulu Plus.Customers may also take part in a variety of extra content including quizzes and polls that prove their engagement inside a program, which is useful to marketers. But Function(x) has not revealed whether it has registered any entrepreneurs or TV-network partners yet.While Viggle is going to be targeted first in the TV world, in success it'll likely expand with other media. It will likely be introduced being an iOs application inside a couple of days before moving out an Android counterpart later around. Viggle works with 100 channels at launch. Contact Andrew Wallenstein at andrew.wallenstein@variety.com