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We are entreated to visit the show's website; presenters practically beg us to follow the Twitter feed or become a fan on Facebook, while voiceovers and on-screen graphics encourage us to "press the red button".

If you're anything like me, it's tempting to write this off as white noise - almost like mini ad breaks - and tune out. The thing is, behind all this trumpet-blowing there are often benefits which are well worth having. It's tempting to compare social media "add-ons" to DVD extras - a place for gushing interviews, commentary, and footage that didn't quite make the cut.

This is sometimes the case: but not always. Because when it's done well, social media can help you get more out of your favourite TV programmes than you can imagine: it can give you control over what you're watching, give you a say on topics that you care about, and get you further into the action than ever before.

For example, say you're the only Strictly Come Dancing fan in your house. Well, not with social media you're not. You're not the only person in the world wondering where Tess Daly got her dress, or if you could ever learn to pull off a tango like Ann Widdecombe (although let's face it, you probably can). So what's possible with social media? Using Strictly as an example, here are some of the options.

You might be wondering who exactly presses that red button, and what will happen to the screen after you've pressed it. Well, usually the show will go on, and a menu will appear. Depending on what's on offer, you can watch things like exclusive interviews and unseen footage, or even play specially-made games. So pressing the red button is risk-free, and you might even get to see some celebrities falling over!

Where on earth did Patsy Kensit get those outrageous shoes? Someone on Twitter knows, and they're telling everyone. What's more, they're adding a hashtag (a sort of link which begins with "#" - Strictly's is "#scd") to their tweets about it. All you have to do to find all the other tweets about Strictly is to click on it. Voila! A positive mine of real-time information and heated discussion, contributed to by the people actually making the programme and - if you're lucky - the celebrities themselves.

Want to know how rehearsals are going, see photos from the green room or get timely reminders of when the programme's about to air? The programme's Facebook fan page is the place to go. If there's an official one (like there is with ) you can get all the insider gossip as it happens.

For news and views in your own time, it makes sense to visit the hub of the action: the show's own website. Not only will you find a blog full of insider information and specially-made videos, but biographies of your favourite presenters and links to those all-important official Facebook and Twitter accounts. You can even find out how to go and watch a live recording - and when you do, don't forget to provide exclusive commentary of your own via your own social networking profiles.