• TVPredictions.com, Wednesday, April 5, 2006 11:15 AM

Blogger Phillip Swann, whose TVPredictions.com Web site offers thoughtful and sometimes provocative opinions on the future of television, says in his lead commentary this week that interactive TV is a great idea that will probably never grow into the huge phenomenon its backers hope for.  Why?  Because only teenagers have both the time and interest to interact with TV--particularly via their mobile phones --and that, as they grow into busy, productive adults, those viewers will no longer have the opportunity to interact with TV to as great a degree. Who votes for “American Idol” contestants? asks Swann.  For the most part, teens.  Swell. But don't count on those fans to take their habit to the next stage of life. "It's easier for a teen to be interactive than an adult. Unburdened by demanding jobs, home mortgages and, yes, hyperactive children, teens have more energy and time to devote to interactive features. However, when they get older and become part of what's known as the rat race, their interest and opportunity will diminish," Swann says. Not a pretty picture for those who are proponents of interactive TV. But then Swann has no proof; he's merely opining, which is the whole point of blogs.

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