2.8 Quizzes

During the program, possibly at beginnings of scenes, a multiple-choice question transitions in on the bottom of the screen. The question has a single correct answer that refers to the sequence of events leading to the scene. The setting may be similar to riskless gambling. Loyal viewers who know the answer to these quizzes receive perks such as coupons or raffle tickets.

In these scenarios, the viewer is presented with a pop-up quiz question and the perk associated with the correct answer. The pop up has some animated transition. The question remains displayed until an answer is selected or until it expires . Once a selection is made, if the answer is wrong, the question transitions into the correct answer, which then transitions out smoothly. If the correct answer is selected, the question transitions into a display of the perk awarded, which subsequently transitions out (after some delay). At the end of the program the viewer is presented with the list of perks awarded, as well as a URL at which this list could be accessed at a later time.

This scenario makes the following assumptions. The quiz question is in context only within a specific time interval. There is exactly one correct answer. Selection of the correct answer is communicated back to the broadcaster . Quiz questions pop up at specific time points but need not be tightly synchronized.

If some of Europe's leading children's television channels are to be believed, kids are voting overwhelmingly with their fingers for more iTV. Many children's traditional programs are already enhanced with interactive content. This ranges from encouraging phone-in voting through to pressing the red button on the zapper to gain access to an interactive session. The cost to take part in kids ' iTV sessions currently runs at about 0.33 Euros per phone call.

The latest ventures by leading children's channels CBBC, Cartoon Network, and Nickelodeon in iTV have all been a resounding success. There are numerous games online and on-screen. Success appears to be driven by high scores, multiple-player games , simple and addictive design, and regular new launches.

An example of a very successful quiz application is a service by Nickelodeon, the leading children's channel. This service offered viewers the chance to test their knowledge of Sabrina The Teenage Witch , a popular live action teen series. It follows the rites-of-passage experiences of a 16 year-old girl who moves in with her aunts, discovers that they, and she, are all witches with a black cat, Salem, that can talk. The Nickelodeon Sabrina Magic Spell Game is multiple choice and ran from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM daily around the advertisement breaks. At the end of the break, viewers are asked a question about Sabrina, responding with the remote control. The correct response and individual viewer's score are then displayed before the beginning of the next show. Eight games are broadcast per day that allow accumulating points gained for each correct answer. Final scores can be entered into a prize drawing. The system enabled interactivity through a Web site, SMS, and touch-tone telephones. It pulled in one million viewers over just 25 days.

2.8.1 Winning Perks

During a sports event a bet now to win icon appears on the screen. The viewer selects that icon and joins an existing group of viewers to bet on, for example, the number of minutes in penalty box, the number of points scored by a team during a specific period, or betting on the top three stars of the game. Viewers win points each time they win a bet (see Figure 2.17). When enough points have been accumulated , they are invited to order a pizza.

Figure 2.17. A Coca-Cola quiz with perks commercial.

BBCi utilizes its i-bar application as a gateway for a number of interactive TV application [BBCiCable] [BBCiSat]. On December 1st 2002, the BBC added a competition quiz called Christmas Countdown to its i-bar (see Figure 2.18), accessible by pressing the text key followed by the green button on the SkyDigital remote. Once visible on the screen, the miniapp poses a daily question about a BBC program. Viewers could answer the question via bbc.co.uk, Web on TV, digital cable, send Email, or using SMS messaging. There were daily prizes, as well as the chance to win a wide-screen TV. The text-based competition is supplemented by a daily item of Christmas trivia and a joke. New content categories on the i-bar also include Showbiz News, Top of the Pops news, games charts , horoscopes, lottery results, soap news, and gossip. A Travel section allows the viewer to check the state of London roads live over the TV via 70 traffic cameras , and also provides up-to-the minute rail, road, ferry, and London Transport information.

Figure 2.18. BBCi's Christmas Countdown competition quiz.