KARE-TV launches interactive show ‘OnLIVE’
Cory Bergman May 31st, 2007
The Minneapolis station and its site Kare11.com have just debuted a new talk show called OnLIVE. It airs live every weekday, both on TV and the web, at 4 p.m. “What’s great about this is the immediacy,” said Cindy Chapman, the show’s executive producer. “If viewers have something to say during the broadcast, they will be heard, and that’s a first for local TV news.” Viewers (called “viewsers” on the show) can participate via email, chat and live webcams. When the show is not on the air, the live chat converts into a message board, and you can watch an archived version of the show. Coming in June, OnLIVE will feature a “backpack journalist” they call a “VPJ.” Online, KARE11.com’s OnLIVE section is clean and well-designed, and it features 16×9 video of shopping tips, fashion trends and parenting ideas, as well as a blog, of course.
I watched a few minutes of the first show, which focused on introducing the interactive features of OnLIVE. Chapman sits just off to the side of the set monitoring the chat and selecting user content to put on the air.
ONLive has many similiarities to NBC owned-and-operated stations’ iVillage Live. The challenge with live, multiplatform programs is balancing interactivity with the demands of producing a compelling TV show. Interactivity for interactivity’s sake can end up diluting content and derailing the flow, yet it can be a powerful element when seamlessly integrated. Kudos to KARE for taking on the challenge. Let us know what you think in comments below. (Thanks everyone for your tips on this!)
14 Comments Add your own
1. Steve | May 31st, 2007 at 11:08 am
Maybe they can bring back Dev Null.
2. Anonymous | May 31st, 2007 at 2:54 pm
iVillage Live is much better…content is more relevant and integration 360 is seamless..
3. Jim | May 31st, 2007 at 4:18 pm
Like the concept and ideas… but omygawd it’s dull!
4. warren reid | May 31st, 2007 at 4:22 pm
A slicker version of Live@WRAL.com (even has “live” as part of the name)
Not sure how much people want all this very slick, pre-produced stuff on the web…
Certainly the audience isn’t that different, but the same old fake TV anchors (no matter how genuine they try to be) don’t seem the same as just regular folks doing a web show..
Of course, KARE’s show has to be a higher-production-value because it is also ON regular TV…
I wonder how much people will embrace the old Ted Baxters on the web…
5. Michael | May 31st, 2007 at 6:10 pm
I really wanted this show to be good because of how much potential the concept could have. I’ve now watched two days of it and they have a lot of work to do. The pace is way too slow for a Web audience who likes fast. Plus, none of the talent make me want to watch online. It was cast for TV daytime: stay-at-home moms. If the goal was for me to watch from work, why do I want to see a stay-at-home mom on her webcam in her kitchen? I’ll be interested in seeing the ratings, but after two days I’ve already taken it off my TiVo.
6. ! | May 31st, 2007 at 7:54 pm
“they have a lot of work to do”
this probably holds true with 90%+ of web ventures, don’t you think?
i’m finding little web-only gems here and there, done by pros who have no idea what they’re doing on the web. who can expect them to? they, like every amatuer out there, is writing the playbook. i find myself freely sending in suggestions (i imagine most are ignored, but ya’ never know)
luckily, we are still so early in all of this.
7. jerry | June 8th, 2007 at 3:28 pm
you had a guest on making hamburers stuffed with cheese, how do I get the recipe ?? This show was on June 8th…..
8. Ruth Schafer | June 12th, 2007 at 2:35 pm
Cindy, watched your show for the first time today - you look great!
I want to send you some pics from the Farmer’s Market trip on Sunday…how do I send them?
Thanks & keep up the good work!
9. marge | July 17th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
BORING!!!!!. Have to watch Oprah if I’m watching TV and need a bridge between my two favorite game shows. This show definitely needs help. The anchors are boring and the topics are bland - if you want a good nap in the afternoon, just dial in and you’ll get right to sleep
10. Tataya | July 20th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
I will never watch any of this because it is something to put on the americas funniest home video station. Get real.
11. bill williams | August 20th, 2007 at 11:50 am
Kare on Live seems to be a particularly weak show for a market the size of Minneapolis. The hosts seem to talk down to the audience. This almost seems like a kid’s show. The production itself is notably second-rate as well. In any case, a friend of mine in the advertising business tells me Kare on Live is being discontinued by the station due to very low ratings anyway.
12. jason | September 2nd, 2007 at 12:12 pm
I can’t believe channel 11 would put on such a bush-league program as Kare on Live. The production is really second-rate
13. Carolyn Anderson | October 12th, 2007 at 10:48 am
Program has stiff competetion from Oprah. Have watched Onlive several times - not too exciting and moves very slowly. You asked about worse gift received - Mine was a snowblower for Christmas - a lightweight one so I could do the driveway!! This was a big surprise after all gifts were opened. Not what I expected to say the least!!
14. joan | January 31st, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Everything is better in Minnesota. Moved back here after living 30 years in Arizona. I.ll take the last two weeks of cold weather any day than three months of 110 degrees inthe summer time. Like the show and you always have interesting things to watch. Also my sons and daughter are here and grandkids and great grandkids. Fun to watch them growup..
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