Miso, the niche cousin of ‘GetGlue’ and the ‘Foursquare’ equivalent for television, is the application to use when watching your favourite media content on your iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad or Android. Miso has a similar concept to other check-in applications, enabling you to check into what you’re watching, earn points and unlock virtual badges.

Aside from the familiar check-in concept, there is an additional social element which allows users to join a community of fellow fanatics of a television programme. Users can like, comment and reply to each other’s comments as well as competing for a position in the programmes leaderboard

So why would anyone use Miso? What makes it different from tweeting about a programme on Twitter with a hashtag or talking about your thoughts on a Facebook fan page? I always find myself multi-tasking by using social media in some way during television programmes. In other words, I’m looking for extra value to contribute to my viewing experience.

As a result, I’ve found checking-in and interacting on Miso far more instantaneous, compact and relevant compared to Facebook or Twitter. That’s not to say that Twitter or Facebook is irrelevant, it just acts as a great accompaniment to Miso.

If a television show is relatively new or unknown, Miso is the place to start as it presents the chance to start a small, niche community. Also, Miso gives you a chance to communicate about a show on multiple platforms - by checking-in and commenting on a programme and then posting it on Twitter or Facebook, you present the chance to synergise with these platforms. This ensures that you do not miss the chance to gossip with fellow fans and create multiple conversations, all of which contribute to improving your social experience.

Apart from the social niceties, Miso presents various PR and marketing opportunities for the entertainment sector. From today, Miso will be running a promotion for the History Channel UK by acting as the engagement and social channel for their fourth series of “Ice Road Truckers”. In return for checking-in and interacting, users can unlock a virtual badge and be entered into a prize draw to win a Sony PS3 console - all in exchange for their Miso mingling!

This is the first UK promotion by Miso, but with the backing of Google Ventures and the current ‘check-in’ craze, it’s sure to be a success. If you’d like to discuss your thoughts on marketing opportunities or your user experience with Miso, drop a tweet to @Brandmovers_uk.