Interactivity is highly considered when creating any sort of experience these days. With the advancement of technology in the past few years, we expect nothing less of a video game, television program or a website. To expand on what Tamara said in her post, a new form of media that is highly interactive that has swept over the internet are podcasts. The big thing about podcasts is “you choose and listen to what interests you”, that is the unanimous benefit of podcasts. Different types of podcasts fall into different levels of interactivity, such as audio podcasts, like commercial free radio, this is a lower level of interactivity because you are only reacting to the data provided, however live video podcasts offer a great level of interactivity. Most online video podcasts offer a chat window so you can discuss with other viewers and broadcasters about what you are seeing as it happens in real time. In addition to this, some video podcast broadcasters offer viewers to become part of the show by reading e-mails sent in or even to have viewers live on the show from the comfort of their home via Skype. Podcasts are changing the way the population envisions media, why settle for a lower standard of interactivity when you could be a part of your favourite show? I think the notion of interactivity is going to make media a far more personal thing, like AmWood was saying of Lev Manovich’s view on the topic.
http://www.how-to-podcast-tutorial.com/what-is-a-podcast.htm
Part of what drives those working in the area of interactive t.v. is this notion of getting on the show, or should I say getting in it. So far incursions into this area have been limited but new possibilities are opening up. Who will be the first to create a Brechtian television show? Now, that would be an assignment! Hmm.