TV Guide Network to Enhance Awards Season Coverage with Interactive Sweepstakes, 3D Holograms

TV Guide Network on Monday announced two new initiatives which it says will make its 2010 award-season live red-carpet telecasts "more fun, fashionable and interactive for the fans at home."

According to the network, an interactive consumer sweepstakes--dubbed "Red Carpet Riches" and developed in partnership with independent mobile content distributor, Zed--will give viewers a chance to win cash prizes ranging from $10,000 to $40,000 throughout award season (note: according to the network, a total of $70,000 in cash prizes will be given away by the sweepstakes). And a "Hologram Glam Cam" that generates 3D virtual celebrity images will debut during the network's Golden Globes red-carpet show, "Live at the Golden Globes with Carrie Ann and Chris" (airs Sunday, January 17th at 6:00PM Eastern, 3:00PM Pacific).

TV Guide Network says that viewers can enter the "Red Carpet Riches" sweepstakes by texting in to win (note: a one-off charge of $3.99 will be added to their phone bill) and by watching its live red-carpet programming for the Golden Globes, the Grammy Awards and the Academy Awards. The first sweepstakes winners will be announced on the Golden Globes red carpet, where two $10,000 cash prizes will be awarded, the network says, adding that the second winner will also receive two tickets to attend the Grammy Awards show later in the month. The network plans to give away another $10,000 during its live red-carpet telecast from the Grammys, and to give away $40,000 during its live red-carpet telecast from the Academy awards.

Meanwhile, TV Guide Network says, during its red-carpet interviews with celebrities, the "Hologram Glam Cam" will generate a virtual 3D image of the celebrity who is being interviewed, complete with what they wore previously on the red carpet--thus "allowing fans to enjoy both past and present red-carpet fashions of their favorite stars." The "Hologram Glam Cam" was developed in partnership with Sportvision, the company behind the Yellow 1st and Ten Line that is regularly featured on NFL and NCAA football telecasts. "A truly interactive award show is a great way to involve our fan base and enhance the celebration of entertainment and fandom that is TV Guide Network's trademark, and we believe that the 'Hologram Glam Cam' will do for award season what 3D technology has done for movies and what HD has done for sports," Matthew Singerman, TV Guide Network's SVP of programming and production, said in a prepared statement.

In addition, TV Guide Network says, TVGuide.com will provide live streaming "Fashion Cam" coverage of celebrity red-carpet arrivals, starting with the Golden Globes (5:30PM Eastern/2:30PM Pacific, January 17th). According to the network, viewers will be able to discuss their favorite celebrity fashions through integrated social features, and will receive updates on which stars are being interviewed on the live telecast. In addition, the network says, TVGuide.com's editorial team will provide nomination recaps, breaking news, show reviews, photo galleries and actor profiles, and the site will also make available additional videos featuring nominated shows and actors through its Online Video Guide.