Stingr second-screen platform uses camera recognition to bypass QR codes

This launch addresses the persistent friction of QR codes that has historically limited second-screen conversion rates for broadcasters. By moving identification to the smartphone camera, Stingr allows media companies to capture impulse purchases and engagement without disrupting the primary viewing experience. Within the broader ecosystem, this shift toward integrated, non-intrusive commerce tools reflects a growing need for broadcasters to reclaim data ownership from third-party social platforms. Watch for adoption rates among European broadcasters at IBC2026 as they weigh these interactive features against the technical requirements of the Media Act 2024.

Stingr's camera-based approach enters a market where major platforms are already investing heavily in interactive viewing experiences. Samsung TV Plus, which surpassed 100 million monthly active users globally in early 2026, has made interactivity a core part of its strategy, with streaming hours up 25% year over year and 92% audience retention after three months. The platform's FanVote feature during a Jonas Brothers concert livestream demonstrated that interactive elements can drive measurable engagement on connected TV screens, a trend that validates the broader thesis behind Stingr's second-screen offering.

The commercial case for frictionless second-screen interaction is being reinforced by partnerships between major platforms and commerce infrastructure providers. At IAB NewFronts 2026, Samsung announced a partnership with Amazon Ads to bring remote-enabled Interactive Video Ad technology to Samsung TV Plus, making it the first external CTV device partner to offer Amazon's IVA capability through Samsung's integration with Amazon DSP. The company reported that its interactive FanVote poll during the 2025 Jonas Brothers concert drove 26 times the engagement of QR-based interactions, a data point that underscores why Stingr's camera-recognition approach, which eliminates QR codes entirely, addresses a documented conversion gap. Samsung is expanding interactivity across its service in 2026 with partners including A+E Global Media, AMC Networks, LiveNOW from Fox, and Vevo.

Stingr differentiates itself by embedding its functionality directly inside broadcaster-owned applications rather than relying on platform-level interactivity or remote-control inputs. The company launched at MPTS 2026 in London in May, demonstrating that its system can add new content to its image database within seconds, making live sports available to Stingr-enabled apps in the time it takes to encode and deliver the broadcast video. The platform works across live, time-shifted, and on-demand content, and recognizes images regardless of dubbing language. This positions Stingr as a complementary layer for broadcasters who want to retain data ownership and monetization control, rather than ceding viewer intent to third-party platforms like Google or Amazon, which Stingr's own data suggests capture 86% of commerce intent generated during viewing. As over half of marketers shift holiday budgets to performance CTV advertising, tools that bridge the gap between broadcast content and direct conversion are becoming essential for maintaining competitive ad revenue. This focus on is increasingly critical as platforms look to maximize yield, especially as during their viewing sessions. The growth of further supports this trend.