The iTV Doctor Is In!: Interactive TV Trivia Challenge

Dear Readers:

Inasmuch as summer is upon us, it's time for a bit of summer reading. Something light and fun that might provide a bit of perspective. And that's just what we're going to do--create a series of columns, under the name "PERSPECTIVE," that feature some of the wonderful interactive television work that has gone before.

But as we line up contributors to the series, I thought I'd challenge our readers to a bit of Historical Interactive Television Trivia. You can answer the questions by number, and send your brilliance directly to me at rickhowe@aol.com. The top score wins a PERSONALIZED ITV DOCTOR LAB COAT, the same kind worn by participants in the "Operating Room" panel at the 2010 TV of Tomorrow Show. In case of a tie, we'll have a random (and blind) drawing for the winner.

So have fun! It's just television, after all. Sorry it's not multiple choice--you actually need to KNOW the answers...Don't worry--it starts easy.


1) What was the name of the interactive television service in the heart of middle America in the late 70's and early 80's?

2) In what mid-American city did that interactive television service operate?

3) What was the name of the cable operator that STARTED that mid-American interactive television service?

4) What was the name of the cable operator that CLOSED that mid-American interactive television service?

5) ATC operated a cable system (which The iTV Doctor helped build) in that same mid-American city. What did ATC stand for?

6) Who was the founder of (and famous cable personality behind) ATC?

7) An executive with that mid-American interactive television service went on to create the predecessor of About.com. What is his name?

8) What was the name of the company that BECAME About.com?

9) The interactive television service in the mid-American city created a program that grew into Nickelodeon? What was the name of that program?

10) The interactive television service in the mid-American city created a program that grew into MTV. What was the name of that program?

11) What company manufactured the set-top boxes user by that mid-American interactive television system?

12) To offset losses from the mid-American interactive television system, the parent company brought in a new investment partner. Name that company.

13) Prior to the interactive television system in the mid-American city, the first two-way cable system was launched in what city in 1972?

14) What was the name THEN of the MSO that launched that two-way cable system in 1972?

15) What is the name NOW of the MSO that launched that two-way cable system in 1972?

16) In the mid-90's, the system that was the home of the first two-way cable system once again made headlines with an innovative interactive service. What was the name of that service? (Full name please, not
just initials.)

17) The president of that mid-90's service became a regional vice president of operations for the parent company. What is his name?

18) The marketing head of that mid-90's service is now the president of a multi-MSO partnership. What is his name?

19) The public relations head of that mid-90's service is now the president of a successful public relations firm. What is her name?

20) The CTO of the parent MSO for that mid-90's service is known for creating a mysterious service and technology. What is his name?

21) The Lucky 21st Question: Until recently, the MSO who now can claim historical credit for all these interactive television operations had their corporate office in a town on the Eastern Seaboard. According to the Tappit Brothers, what geographic fact distinguishes this corporate location from all others?

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The iTV Doctor is *Rick Howe*, who provides interactive television consulting services to programmers and advertisers. He is the recipient of a CTAM Tami Award for retention marketing and this year was nominated to Cable Pioneers. He is also the co-author of a patent for the use of multiscreen mosaics in EPG's. Endorsed by top cable and satellite distributors, "Dr" Howe still makes house calls, and the first visit is always free. His services include product development, distribution strategy and the development of low-cost interactive applications for rapid deployment across all platforms. Have a question for the iTV Doctor? Email him at itvdoctor@itvt.com