VDS has provided the Fox News Channel with technology for the real-time display of SMS text message polling data. The system was first used to support Fox News' coverage of the Presidential State of the Union address on Jan. 23. During a special broadcast of Fox's "Hannity and Colmes" show, viewers were invited to send a text message to a dedicated shortcode indicating their opinion of the speech. The results were then displayed on-air throughout the broadcast.
The system pulls data in real-time from a back-end database and Webserver provided by Txtstation. The data is then displayed in a lower-third format using a rendering engine provided by Vizrt.
The system provides an intuitive user interface specifically designed for ease-of-use in a control room environment. Operator controls are provided for displaying the initial poll questions as well as the real-time results. An integrated status display provides the operator with real-time data updates for all responses.
For more information, visit www.videodesignsoftware.com.
