Fox Sports, in conjunction with partner RI-based
LiveWave.com, has "figured out a way for viewers to
communicate visually with studio analysts, producing the
first true interactive show," according to Howard Manly of
the BOSTON GLOBE. Participants will be visible and "able to
transmit their images and comments" to the studio, but in
order to participate, they must have a web-cam (about $70)
and broadband service. Images transmitted will then be
shown live on Fox Sports Net. A producer will "screen
callers to maintain some sense of sanity, but it will be
real people providing real thoughts for the audience." The
show will also be able to receive e-mails. Fox Sports New
England GM David Woodman said he has planned "issues-
oriented" programming using the feature with topics such as
criminal behavior among pro athletes. Manly writes that the
goal of the technology is to "increase viewers," but the
"only downside" is that MSO Media One "can't keep up with
the demand" for the service, as estimates show that by the
end of the year, "only one out of 10 Internet users will be
hooked up with the broadband service" (BOSTON GLOBE, 2/15).
