The Media Group (note: the latter, which is generally known by the acronym, "TMG," was formerly called Turner Media Group–the name change was presumably made to avoid confusion with Turner Broadcasting System, with which it has no affiliation; it has created ITV advertising campaigns on EchoStar’s DISH Network platform for such companies as Ford, Mercedes, Chrysler, Land Rover, and HP; it also offers a number of transactional interactive TV channels on the DISH Network) has teamed with the non-profit National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) to create an interactive TV application designed to help hunters find bird hunting preserves where they can practice their sport. The application is offered in conjunction with the show, "Wingshooting USA," which airs on TMG’s Men’s Outdoors & Recreation transactional channel on the DISH Network.
During broadcasts of "Wingshooting USA," DISH customers with interactive TV-enabled receivers can select an on-screen prompt that takes them to an interactive environment, in which the show continues to play in quarter-screen mode. The environment allows them to locate a wingshooting preserve from a national database of hunting preserves with what TMG says is "nine-digit zip code precision," and also to enter a competition to win a Polaris ATV, a hunt at a preserve, or tickets to a NASCAR race. In addition, a 30-second commercial that is airing across several channels on the DISH platform allows viewers to telescope to "Wingshooting USA" during the latter’s regular broadcasts.
In other TMG news: the company recently organized a cable and satellite pay-per-view event in partnership with martial arts programmer, BodogFight.com. The event–entitled "BodogFight: Season 1 Finale" and available on DISH Network, Time Warner Cable, Bright House, Charter, Cox, Comcast, Bell ExpressVu, Shaw and Viewers Choice–was the culmination of "BodogFight," a weekly mixed-martial arts reality TV series that airs on the Men’s Outdoors & Recreation channel.
Significantly, the event featured an interactive TV element: during November, DISH Network "BodogFight" viewers were presented with on-screen prompts that took them to an environment where they could then use their remotes to view a gallery of the show’s fighters, vote for their favorite fighter, and enter a competition whose grand prize was a five-day trip to Los Angeles, martial arts lessons, and up to $10,000 in cash. The fighter with the most votes was awarded $50,000 during a special segment of the pay-per-view event. "This extraordinary PPV event, combined with national and international distribution and interactive TV features, is becoming the model for the future of television entertainment," TMG founder, chairman and CEO, Gary Turner, said in a prepared statement. "We’re making it convenient and simple to let viewers everywhere interact with the shows they enjoy rather than sit by passively, a benefit to both viewers and advertisers."
Originally Published: December 5, 2006 in [itvt] Issue 7.08 Part 3
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