Participation TV is a broad term referring to television programming which relies on paid audience participation as a key form of revenues. Genres include:
Regulations governing participation TV vary throughout the world - but the format is gaining popularity as traditional TV advertising revenues decline. There have been many scandals surrounding consumer deception and improper conduct relating to the running of competitions - particularly in the UK (a leading territory for participation TV).
Typically a TV production company will come up with the concept and produce a show, licensing it to a broadcaster and partnering with telecoms companies for the platforms required to drive the revenues.