CBS Television said last week that it has entered into the first interactive television pact of any of the big four networks. Beginning this television season, more than 500 hours of programming will be interactive to people with a Microsoft WebTV set-top box.
“I think it’s the first inflection point in the interactive television industry. Programmers are finally interested in taking their best product and making it interactive,” David Katz, vice president of strategic planning and interactive ventures at CBS Television, said in a statement.
The two companies have not yet released which programs will be interactive or the level of interaction. The programs will be dramas, comedies, specials, variety shows, movies and sports — covering just about every facet of programming besides news. The level of interaction also was described in broad terms: chat, information programming on demand and e-commerce.
The Microsoft WebTV service has about 1 million subscribers.
