Ron Cairns
There was a time when staying up late meant stumbling across some very strange television. Once the films had finished and the shopping channels had started repeating themselves, there was a good chance you’d land on a late night gaming show. The presenters were full of energy despite it being two in the morning, the phone lines were flashing, and someone was trying to spot six hidden differences between two nearly identical pictures for the chance to win a cash prize.
For a while, these shows were everywhere. They were inexpensive to produce, used up dull hours late at night, and made the audience dial in. The network profited from the calls made, while contestants managed to convince themselves they would be lucky this time. It is hard to believe how many people watched these shows. Some wanted to try their luck, while others were amazed by the absurdity. The answer was clear, but the host managed to waste 15 minutes of viewers’ time building it up while actually hustling for phone calls.
Of course, the internet eventually changed everything. Once smartphones became part of everyday life, people no longer had to wait until midnight for a chance to play games. Puzzle apps, mobile games and online competitions offered instant entertainment without expensive phone calls. And if someone wanted to test their luck or skill at online casino games, they could do it in seconds instead of hoping the studio finally picked their number.
Online casinos also played a part in changing viewing habits. Rather than watching someone else run a competition, players could visit their favourite online casino whenever it suited them. Everything from slot games to blackjack and roulette became available around the clock, making late night television feel a little old-fashioned by comparison.
Streaming services didn’t help either. Years ago, viewers simply took pot luck and watched whatever happened to be on television after midnight. Today, Netflix, and other streaming platforms mean, not unlimited exactly, but a whole lad more choice than before. The days of channel hopping until something vaguely interesting appeared are disappearing fast.
Regulators also took a closer look at late night gaming shows. Questions were raised about premium-rate charges, transparency and how some competitions were run. As the rules tightened and viewers became more aware of how the shows worked, the business model became less attractive for broadcasters.
That doesn’t mean interactive television disappeared completely. Quiz apps, live streams and social media have brought back plenty of audience participation, just in different forms. Live casino games even borrow a few ideas from those old TV shows, with real presenters, live cameras and constant interaction between hosts and players. The technology is far more polished, but the basic appeal is familiar. People still enjoy watching real hosts and joining in from home.
There’s also a healthy dose of nostalgia attached to those late night gaming programmes now. Clips regularly pop up online, with younger viewers wondering how anyone sat through twenty minutes of someone asking viewers to “keep those calls coming.” Those who remember them usually smile, laugh at the questionable presenting, and admit they probably watched far more than they should have. Late night TV gaming wasn’t exactly television at its finest, but it filled a gap.
