Tuned in late and wondering who that woman is chatting up Jay Leno on “The Tonight Show?”
Watching football on ESPN and want to check up on the score of the Lakers’ game without changing the channel?
You might be in luck.
One of the latest twists in interactive television comes from Wink Enhanced Broadcasting and is available in L.A. to subscribers of Charter Communications Inc. digital cable, or DirecTV customers who have an RCA brand set-top box.
All you have to do is hit a button on the remote control to call up an array of added information that includes everything from updated sports scores to short bios on the people appearing on the screen. And, of course, the technology also allows you to buy products spotted on TV.
During programs, a stylized “i” icon flashes in the top left corner of the screen, prompting viewers to press a button if they want more info. For example, if it’s a commercial for Ford Explorer, viewers can get more details about the vehicle and where to buy one.
With a number of products, a software application creates electronic order forms for viewers to provide their name, address and credit card information if they want to make a purchase.
Cheryl Kovalchik, director of publicity for Wink, said ESPN’s sports ticker capability is the most commonly used application of the technology so far. Kovalchik said 30 percent of the more than 1 million nationwide homes equipped with Wink Enhanced Broadcasting use the service at least once a week.
While Wink is motivated by advertising and network revenue, Kovalchik said it’s not just about bringing the market to the couch potato. “I think it’s a pretty useful thing to get additional information,” she said. “It’s developed to keep people interactive with the shows they’re watching.”
