ABS-CBN taps 'biggest touch screen TV' for poll coverage

abs-cbnNEWS.com

Posted at 05/07/2010 12:53 PM | Updated as of 05/07/2010 1:58 PM

MANILA, Philippines - Creating an army of citizen journalists, breaking on-the-edge news reports, and courageously setting the news agenda best define ABS-CBN’s year-long election coverage that goes high-gear on Monday (May 10) to report on the country’s first computerized polls that will determine the next leaders of the nation.

ABS-CBN will be using what is probably the biggest touch screen television ever used on Philippine TV news and a new broadcast technology called “augmented reality,” which combines computer-generated imagery with live video in real time.

Using the touch screen TV, ABS-CBN anchors can easily pull up information on the candidates while a report progresses. Augmented reality, meanwhile, places an anchor in a virtual environment where he or she can interact with computer graphics that show the latest updates on the elections.

These technological innovations are just the latest pioneering efforts initiated by ABS-CBN, which scored several firsts in the past twelve months since it launched “Boto Mo, i-Patrol Mo: Ako ang Simula.”

ABS-CBN was the first to create a movement of citizen journalists, the first to organize debates that used new media to engage viewers via Twitter and Facebook, the first to measure audience instant reactions during debates via Wireless Audience Response System (WARS), and the first to hold an election concert that gathered its thousands of citizen patrollers.

Apart from courageous and ground-breaking news stories, ABS-CBN has successfully blended old and new media in engaging audiences, get instant feedbacks, and solicit questions for candidates guesting in their various news and talk show programs.

More than 81,146 citizens have joined BMPM, while more than 67,720 are following on Facebook, and some 11,861 on Twitter as of 6 May 2010.

These groundbreaking projects and stories have made ABS-CBN as the most credible TV network in covering the election campaign as shown in a Pulse Asia survey conducted between 21-25 February 2010, beating competition 63% vs 55%.

ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs head Maria Ressa said the edge of Halalan 2010 rests not only on the technology but also on the “army of change” composed of professional and citizen journalists patrolling the country.

Hundreds of reporters in all ABS-CBN media platforms (television, radio, cable TV, online) will be deployed in different areas in the country to give situationers and updates.

Even celebrities are also taking part in the coverage with Kapamilya stars like Donita Rose, Phoem Barranda, and Janus Del Prado, rock stars Ney Dimaculangan of 6cyclemind and Kean Cipriano of CallaLily also volunteering to patrol for their votes.

Working hand-in-hand with ABS-CBN for this monumental coverage are cause partners Globe Telecommunications, Bayan Communications, STI, The Philippine Star, Manila Bulletin, Business World, Pulse Asia, University of the Philippines School of Economics, YouthVote Philippines, Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, the Commission on Elections, and the National Movement for Free Elections.

Google, Map Central, REACT, Kontra-Daya, and Life Haven have also joined the cause to boost the online coverage of ABS-CBN Halalan 2010.

credit to : www.abs-cbnnews.com