Participating in television programs

Abstract

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for enabling viewers to participate in a television program. In one aspect, a method includes transmitting a linear television program that includes a request for viewer responses to be submitted using a user device and receiving, through a communication network, an electronic message including a viewer response to the request from a user. Consideration is received from the user, and the consideration is associated with the viewer response. Credits are allocated to the user in response to receiving the viewer response and consideration. A record of the one or more credits is stored in association with an identifier of the user, and in response to a request from the user, credits associated with the identifier of the user are redeemed in exchange for virtual goods or services associated with delivery of content over a network.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method comprising:
 receiving, through a communication network, a plurality of electronic messages from a plurality of users, with each electronic message including a viewer response from a respective user, wherein each of the viewer responses is received in reply to a request included in content transmitted for viewing by one or more of the plurality of users;   receiving a payment associated with each of the respective viewer responses, wherein each viewer response provides information from which a source of the payment can be determined, and wherein the payment includes, at least in part, credits stored in association with an identifier of the respective user;   allocating one or more credits to each user in response to receiving the viewer response from the respective user and receiving the payment associated with the viewer response;   storing a record of the one or more credits in association with an identifier of the respective user;   redeeming credits associated with the identifier of the user in exchange for goods or services; and   allocating, to a subset of the plurality of users, monetary awards, with each of the users in the subset of users selected based on the viewer response of the respective user.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein redeeming credits associated with the identifier of the user in exchange for goods or services includes redeeming credits as payment associated with additional viewer responses. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the viewer responses comprise a prediction of an outcome of events occurring in the future with respect to the time the viewer responses are received. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the outcome of events occurring in the future with respect to the time the viewer responses are received is determined by actions of one or more third parties with respect to the plurality of users. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the request for viewer responses includes an offer for the monetary award in exchange for a viewer response that at least satisfies predetermined criteria. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the number of credits allocated to each user is based upon one or more criteria related to the viewer response of the respective user. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the payment includes, at least in part, credits purchased for monetary value, wherein the credits are associated with the respective user. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the electronic message is submitted by the user through an application on a user device, with the application associated with the content transmitted for viewing by one or more users. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the electronic message is submitted by the user through a web page displayed on a user device, with the web page associated with the content transmitted for viewing by one or more users. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the content is transmitted for viewing on a user interface of a computing device. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30  wherein the user interface presents a display for submission of the viewer response. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the content is transmitted as part of a television broadcast. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the content is presented upon request by each respective user. 
     
     
         34 . A method comprising:
 receiving, through a communication network, a plurality of electronic messages from a plurality of users, with each electronic message including a viewer response from a respective user, wherein each of the viewer responses is received in reply to a request included in content transmitted for viewing by one or more users;   receiving a payment from each respective user, wherein each viewer response is associated with the payment from the respective user and each viewer response provides information from which a source of the payment can be determined, and wherein the payment includes, at least in part, credits stored in association with an identifier of the respective user;   allocating one or more credits to each user in response to receiving the viewer response from the respective user and receiving the payment associated with the viewer response;   storing a record of the one or more credits in association with an identifier of the respective user;   redeeming credits associated with the identifier of the user in exchange for goods or services; and   wherein the viewer responses comprise a prediction of an outcome of events occurring in the future with respect to the time the viewer responses are received.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34  wherein the outcome of events occurring in the future with respect to the time the viewer responses are received are determined by actions of one or more third parties with respect to the plurality of users. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 34  wherein the number of credits allocated to each user is based upon one or more criteria related to the viewer response of the respective user. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 34  wherein the content is transmitted for viewing on a user interface of a computing device and the user interface presents a display for submission of the viewer response. 
     
     
         38 . A system comprising:
 one or more servers operable to interact with a user device and to:   transmit data for use in presenting a user interface on the user device, wherein the user interface is adapted to receive user input for submitting a response to a request for viewer responses included in content transmitted for viewing by one or more users;   receive an electronic message, wherein the electronic message includes a response to the request, with the response received through the user device;   deduct a payment from an account based on the response received through the user device and the response provides information from which a source of the payment can be determined, and wherein the payment includes, at least in part, credits stored in association with an identifier of the user;   allocate one or more credits to the user in response to receiving the electronic message;   store a record of the one or more credits in association with a user account; and   wherein the response comprises a prediction of an outcome of events occurring in the future with respect to the time the response is received.   
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 38  wherein the response comprises a prediction of an outcome of events occurring in the future with respect to the time the response is received. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 38  wherein the content is transmitted as part of a television broadcast.