You know you can check in to locations on Facebook, Foursquare and Yelp, but did you know you could check in to your favorite television show? Using apps like Zeebox, Viggle and GetGlue on your iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, or Android you can and for some, you can get rewarded for doing so. These rewards can come in the form of Zeetags, stickers, or even gift certificates. All of these apps are free and all available for your iPad, iPhone and Android. We break down some of our favorite TV apps just for you.

 
GetGlue

GetGlue recently went through a major redesign, updating app features and removing the ability to check into other entertainment properties, like books, video games, and music. In addition to checking in to TV shows and movies, GetGlue will also develop a personalized guide based on a your viewing habits. During the show, you can interact with friends and other fans in open chat rooms.

On your feed, you will find clips, recaps and pictures from the shows that you choose to follow.  You’ll also be able to find trending shows on your feed so you can keep up with what’s hot. Your rewards for watching TV and checking in come in the form of stickers (“first check-in” sticker, “iPoner” sticker, etc.) Once you gain enough virtual stickers, you can pick your favorites and they will send you the physical versions for free!

Zeebox

After you check-in with Zeebox, you can check out trending shows as well as starting a viewing party from the app. Unlike GetGlue, these chat sessions are private. You can schedule a reminder so you don’t miss your favorite shows.

Zeetags tell you more information about what you’re watching. Have you ever liked a song in a show or movie but couldn’t open Shazam in time to figure out what was playing? Zeetags will immediately tell you what song is playing on TV and where to buy it. You can also play tons of games with your favorite shows and there is live polls and voting with other users.

Viggle

Just like Soundhound or Shazam, Viggle uses audio recognition technology to check you into the show you’re watching. You just hold your phone or iPad up to the TV and it samples the audio to see what you’re watching. It will even work during commercials.

By checking in to the shows that you watch, you can add up points to get major rewards. You can redeem points for rewards at Starbucks, Groupon, Best Buy, Fandango, Barnes & Noble, Sephora, Foot Locker, and many others. They show you shows that you can check-in to for bonus points as well. There are also plenty of social games that you can play like Viggle Live which will test your TV knowledge or MYGUY, which is a real time fantasy sports game. You can also join a public chat room or start a private one with Facebook friends.

Quips

Quips shows us a new way to get down with our social selves while perched on our couches. You can select any episode from any season from any show you like and from there you can choose a still that you can add text to and then share with Facebook or Twitter friends right from the app. It’s not live streaming so you won’t be able to access the most recent episodes of shows, but if you watch most of your TV after its aired, this might be great for you.

All of these apps are free, allow you to check-in, are available for most devices, and help you stay social while sitting on your couch. But when it comes down to it, of these apps, I would recommend using Viggle. I love how you can hold it up to your TV and it can recognize what you’re watching. Also, as much as I love stickers, I’d much rather be rewarded with a bunch of Starbucks gift cards, a Kindle Fire or Apple TV.

Have you tried any of these social TV apps? Any different ones? What do you think about them?