TV game shows become reality for digital viewers

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Today, Hawai'i officially becomes the leader in interactive television.

Or, in game-show terms, we are the first state in the nation to buzz in and launch iTV.

Interactive television, through the GSN channel (formerly the Game Show Network), means about 130,000 Oceanic digital customers statewide — or one-third of the 390,000 subscriber base — can play along with Regis Philbin and "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" on a daily basis. Viewers can chime in by pushing buttons on their remote control, interacting with other couch potatoes and competing for a spot on a live leader board that instantaneously logs and monitors players' results from around the state.

"We think it is a watershed moment for entertainment," said Nate Smith, president of Oceanic Time Warner, which is kicking off the groundbreaking technology.

Literature from officials at GSN states "all viewers need is a remote control to play along in real time and compete against other players for a chance to earn points and prizes."

Initially, four other game shows — "Lingo," "Greed," "Black Jack" and "Whammy!" — will allow viewers to play along on GSN.

GSN officials were at the Kahala Mandarin Oriental yesterday giving a demonstration to Oceanic staff as well as prospective advertisers and media, about digital technology potential through GSN Interactive.

"It's a glimpse of the future — at least in Hawai'i," Smith said. "We recognize that our customers are looking for a more engaging experience and we're so pleased to be able to bring them that with the launch of GSN Interactive."

Rich Cronin, president and chief executive officer of GSN, said the network has 84 hours a week of interactive shows, with more planned, including such new reality shows as "Fake-a-Date" with Evan Marriott, the one-time "Joe Millionaire" figure.

"People are yelling out answers at home," said Cronin of interactivity. "Now, you will be able to play along as you yell along."

If you have a digital box, your remote control should work with GSN. If you can't get it to work, contact your Oceanic cable provider.

Besides the participatory factor, today's launch also includes:

• Channel One, at digital channel 001, which allows viewers to select and sort TV programming through file folders that are characterized by different categories, including Top 10 (you can see what the top 10 shows are at the moment), sports, movies, entertainment, news and kids. Channel One also allows viewers to navigate through other options, such as the Oceanic Store (an emporium that already offers pizza on demand, but intended to be an in-house marketplace for premium channels, high-definition TV and Road Runner service, and eventually an on-air "mall" with food court offerings).
• Jobs on Demand, at digital channel 912, which will be a resource for statewide employment opportunities, viewable 24/7. Listings will be searchable by category or employer.

With the digital technology, a viewer also can fashion a daily programming guide that the system can assemble based on traditional viewing patterns. The new system can pull out data of your regular shows — "American Idol" on Tuesday and Wednesday, "Law and Order" in its varying incarnation on USA, TNT and NBC — and serve up the menu on the free Channel One.

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, 525-8067 or fax 525-8055.