Reality TV
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Big Brother producer launches reality show for UK mobiles
With consumers seemingly on the fence regarding mobile TV, it will be interesting to see how a new British reality show fares at selling two-minute daily episodes for 50 pence a pop. "Get Close To...," as the show is known, was developed by Big Brother creator Peter Bazalgette, and will feature content shot by members of the pop group Sugababes while they tour with singer Robbie Williams. In an attempt to make viewers feel more involved with the program (and come back the next day to pay for another installment), the Sugababes will solicit videotaped dance routines that fans can send in for possbile incorporation into the group's stage act, and some of the obligatory reality show "challenges" that the band has to complete will be chosen by the audience. The show, whose first episode airs this Friday, is being viewed as an experiment by co-owners Universal Music, UK carrier O2, and Big Brother-producer Endemol, who seem to be testing the waters for more pay-as-you-go serial programming.[Via MocoNews]
Girl gamer recruitment good reality TV?
Recruiting a new member for a sponsored girl gaming team can't be easy. When Eekers (one of Ubisoft's Frag Dolls) left the line-up last summer, a nationwide search for her replacement rolled into motion, requiring everything from a gaming CV to glamour shots. Months later, when all but the hopefuls have forgotten the empty space to be filled, the shortlisted candidates have been announced and the final selection procedure outlined.All eight of the finalists will be flown to San Francisco to "join the existing Frag Dolls in a weekend of playing games and interviewing", a party that sounds like good fodder for frazzled nerves -- especially when you add in the filming. For this is no ordinary interview -- instead, the whole thing will be covered by Internet TV site GameTrailers, providing a reality TV glimpse into the mysterious world of girl gamers.
Yahoo enters the TV world
I hate reality TV. Lets get that out in the open. I do not care if it is about decorating, adults acting like teenagers, or scaring people. I cannot stand any of it. That might all change though thanks to Yahoo and IPTV. They plan on producing and distributing a reality show through the Internet at a fraction of the cost. The show would involve two families that would be given $10,000 to spend on upgrading their technology in their home. $10,000 sounds like a lot, but except the families to use the money on a few HDTVs, a couple of home theaters, and a few computers. The budget would not allow for touch screen controls in each room and custom home theaters. The only hitch is that to keep the stuff, the families have to pass a vote through the Internet. Personally, if Yahoo wants to give me $10,000, I would spend it on putting HDTVs in every room, including the bathroom and kitchen. I might even put one in the shower. There, of course, would be Harmony Remotes in each room and a dedicated media closet to house all the HDTV tuners that would be needed. Sure, there would be a nice TV and sound system in the family room but nothing out of the ordinary. I would rather have multiple TVs then spend the whole budget on one large set.What would you spend Yahoos money on. Keep in mind that you would have to be creative and original in order to pass the Internet vote. Crap! Am I getting into this reality TV stuff? Oh well. At least it is about HDTVs!
