Reality television has been around for awhile, but thanks to technology and a strategic partnership viewers will soon get to be a part of television history.
The first interactive cartoon series is set to be launched in the U.S. in the next few months through production company RDF.
RDF is the company behind shows like “Don’t Forget the Lyrics” and “Wife Swap,” and is now partnering with Artificial Life, a new media company. The producers are designing a TV series in which viewers can participate in the onscreen action.
Here’s how it works: In a series called “Sleuths,” viewers can customize their own avatars. These characters will appear onscreen during the show’s live telecast. The competition between the avatars comes through quiz questions that the viewers answer via text message. Those who answer correctly continue to the next round, or be eliminated if they give an incorrect answer.
The technology is called MoPA-TV in the industry, and it means “mobile-participation television.” MoPA is becoming popular in Japan and Europe, so it was only a matter of time before this fun, interactive means of entertainment went global.
It’s all cartoon fun for now, but who knows what innovative solutions this new technology can inspire?