What happens next? You decide, as Channel 4 launches interactive drama

A new Channel 4 drama will take the trend to its logical conclusion, offering viewers the chance to shape an entire storyline by voting on the direction it should take and allowing them to play god with the fate of its central characters, reports The Guardian.

Each episode of Dubplate Drama will end with a dilemma for the central character, Dionne, played by the critically lauded female MC Shystie. Viewers will be invited to text in their decision, with their choice influencing the action in the next episode.

"In an effort to reflect rapidly changing media habits, the interactive series will also air on the digital channels MTV Base and E4, and will be made available to watch on Sony's new PSP device and in a cut-down version on the mobile phone network 3."

See other innovative ways television networks have used SMS and MMS:

-- 'Hollyoaks' to pull viewers into storylines using SMS - A UK soap opera called Hollyoaks offers the series' fans the option to sign up on their Website to receive daily text messages from the show's characters, allowing the viewer to "be one step ahead with the latest on all the big storylines before they hit the screen"

-- Soapy secrets via SMS - Soap Confidential, gives ABC soap fans sneak preview information from their favorite characters through premium text messaging service.

-- Voted sexiest soap actor by SMS - US network channel ABC employed text messaging to have fans vote for the sexiest male actor of soap opera 'All my Children'.

-- «InYrShoes» - The plot of a UK soap called «InYrShoes» is not decided by scriptwriters, but by viewers sending text messages at the end of each episode, featuring a cliffhanger or dilemma.

-- Jong-Zuid: First picture soap opera for mobile phones The Netherlands came up with the first Picture Soap, Jong-Zuid, starring famous soap opera actors.

-- American Idol sways Americans into texting -- Nearly 2.5 million AT&T Wireless customers cast their votes by SMS for their favorite American Idol contestant

emily | 7:30 AM | SMS and Television |
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