INTERACTIVE TV REACHES NEW HIGH

BSKYB claim interactive TV has reached a new high as the total number of ‘Big Brother’ viewers voting through their remote topped over 700,000.
Viewers of Sky digital use the arrow, number and colour buttons on their handset to choose streams and register votes.
‘Big Brother’ has received over two million votes via the phone, internet and interactive TV since its launch, and 35 per cent of the total votes cast have been via the Sky digital remote control.
Peter Good, Head of Interactive TV at Channel 4, said: “ We are delighted that E4’s ‘Big Brother’ Interactive has proved a huge hit with digital viewers. Sky digital subscribers accounted for 34 per cent of all votes cast in the first eviction.”
Lesley Mackenzie, Director of Channels & Operations at BSkyB, said: “ ‘Big Brother’ has confounded the critics of enhanced TV, and proved how a creative approach can be a real hit with TV viewers. We expect many broadcasters to use the digital satellite platform to strengthen the audience appeal of their programs”. (CD)