Lauren Barton 19:44, 19 Oct 2004 (EST)
http://images.google.com.au/images?q=tbn:QeaAmuRALHMJ:users.tpg.com.au/libertyx/idol/images/austidollogo.GIF http://images.google.com.au/images?q=tbn:AhasQIxegFMJ:www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/ae82f18a8e1b160b852568ba007e7e5e/3017c5e1e85b7e5885256cbe00211770/%24FILE/American%2520Idol%2520Logo%2520Medium.jpg http://images.google.com.au/images?q=tbn:ojLhj3X-D6cJ:ch5.mediacorptv.com/imagegallery/store/phpvSI8HX.jpg http://images.google.com.au/images?q=tbn:GfMK-AwrfkMJ:www.ctv.ca/archives/CTVShows/images/20040219/CanIdol-Insider-20040219/Canadian_Idol_Oval_235.jpg http://images.google.com.au/images?q=tbn:YDaStizAhZwJ:bigrikcouk.brinkster.net/images/popidollogo.gif http://images.google.com.au/images?q=tbn:N-HKyXw5D1AJ:www.nzgirl.co.nz/images/articles/story/nzidolsml.jpg http://images.google.com.au/images?q=tbn:DimmN-lsrcQJ:www.rha.eku.edu/Eastern%2520Idol/eastern%2520idol.gif
The Idol series can be considered interactive under many definitions. The definition that sums up this phenomenon best, however, has been developed by van Dijk and de Vos in their atricle entitled "Searching for the Holy Grail". It outlines that the interactive component in any television show allows action that other television shows do not, and this action comes in the form of two way communication (2001, p.445). Further, Cutlip, Centre and Broom (2000, p.4) contend that two way communication with a target audience is key in mutually beneficial relations, and the key to sustaining any growth and maturation. The Idol series, the world over, has been able to achieve this two way communication, and therefore has enjoyed much success, due to the interactive components it employs.
Australian Idol, which is currently airing on channel 10, has enjoyed much success over both this series and last years’ show. Idol has been broadcast the world over, for many years now, in such countries as America, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, to name a few. In addition to these countries, in 2003, ‘World Idol’ was broadcast to viewers around the globe, bringing a whole new level to the interactivity employed by this program.
As in the case of Big Brother, the Idol series uses numerous forms of interactive media to engage its viewers, and make them feel as though they are a significant part of the show. SMS messaging is incorporated, as well as the use of phone calls, but, unlike Big Brother, the internet is not a tool of interaction for Idol. It is used, however, in relaying messages to titsaudience, playing recaps of shows and important events, as well as giving updates on the progress of the contestants throughout the week. The format of the interactive element used within this series is quite basic. On a certain night of the week (in Australia it is a Sunday night), the contestants will all sing one song each. The viewers will have the chance, at the end of the show, to vote for their favourite contestant to stay on the show, by SMS messaging their name to the phone number given, or calling a different phone number and reciting their name. The following night, another live show is held, whereby the contestant with the lowest number of votes is asked to leave. This is unlike Big Brother, where viewers voted for their least favourite to go.
World Idol, a competition between all the winners of selected countries’ first season aired on December 25th, 2003 with the results released on New Years day 2004. On the first night the contestants or "idols" sang to claim the title of World Idol in front of a judging panel (the judges were made up of one judge from each country taking part) who commented on the idols performances. The viewers then voted on their favourite. Because this was a worldwide event, there had to be some modifications to the way in which the votes were tallied. The catch was that one was not allowed to vote for their own country idol, instead relying on a points system in which the idol who gets the most votes, for example, in Australia receives 10 points. The idol with the second largest number of votes will get 9 points, and so on. The ways in which viewers could vote included SMS, phone and the internet. This is proving the popularity and scope that interactivity has allowed reality television shows.
Other Related Topics: Personal Video Recorders (PVR), TiVo, Big Brother, Reality TV and its use of SMS, Reality TV and its use of the Internet, Foxtel Digital, Internet TV, Mobile Video Phones, Daily Broadcasting
Lauren Barton 16:00, 24 Oct 2004 (EST)
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Lauren Barton 13:55, 28 Oct 2004 (EST)
