By: Kirsten Stubbs

Social TV used to mean families gathering around their televisions to discuss sitcoms over TV dinners on portable trays. Tonight, The X Factor USA ushers in a new generation of social TV, spreading the discussion from across your living room to across the world.

As one of television’s most buzzed-about programs on social media, it only makes sense that the show would harness the power of the readily available and plentiful opinions of its socially savvy viewers and give them the power to vote via Twitter.

In addition to voting via phone, text message, website and Facebook wall, The X Factor USA is the first television talent competition to allow fans to vote for their favorite acts via Twitter through direct messages.

It all goes back to social media’s inherent ability to deliver value when, where and how fans (or customers, consumers, guests, clients) want it.  The people behind The X Factor realize a vast portion of their audience is discussing the show online and are using that latent power to enhance the already social idea of voting for the future of the show and the ultimate winner.

Interested in voting for your favorite contestant via Twitter DM or any other medium… and being part of the future of social TV? Check-out all the ways you can voice your opinion on The X Factor here.