North Carolina Now; Episode from 1999-03-09

It's Tuesday, March 9th, tonight blending television and computers in the digital world of tomorrow, in North Carolina now. Hello, and welcome to this Tuesday edition of North Carolina Now. I'm Arita Matray. Thanks for joining us tonight. On this evening's edition of North Carolina Now, we'll look at what the future holds for television. Digital technology is on the horizon and it promises to change everything in the world of TV from the quality of the programs you watch to the size and shape of the set you use to watch them. But that's not all, and John Arnold will fill us in in just a moment. And you've heard the old adage, it's not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game. Well, tonight's guest has taken that saying and put it to the test in the form of a new board game. Now, here's a simple question from that game.

In college basketball, a team does not have to be notified by the scorekeeper when it has taken its fifth charge time out, true or false. Well, think about that one for a moment and I'll have the answer for you later in the program after our conversation with the creator of the rules of the game. But first, the future of TV. We are not digital television is coming. Over the next few years, every television station in the country will be changing the kind of signal it sends over the air. That signal will mean much more than a better picture. John Arnold shows us how your TV and your personal computer could someday be one in the same. We already know that the arrival of digital television means significantly better pictures and sound. What the future of DTV is anything but clear. On the one hand, there's high definition programming, which would offer the best possible picture. Or we could see a single station offering multiple channels of programming, which would allow a broadcaster to offer new kinds of consumer and viewer services.

And one of the scenarios is that they would use that extra bandwidth to send the consumer at home data at the same time that they're sending them pictures. So it would actually be information and entertainment. It would be the kind of information you get from the internet, which means your TV and your personal computer could be one in the same. It's a concept that a lot of people have a hard time understanding. It says Meredith College Communications Professor Connie Book. She's been researching what consumers think about DTV. We had one lady that I was interviewing say, I don't want to see my spreadsheet that big on the screen. I'm not interested in a huge spreadsheet or a huge word processor. So they're not yet making the leap and between information and our pictures that we say on TV. But not everyone is leery. According to Dr. Book's research, heavy internet and computer users are excited about the possibility of the PC and the TV coming together. Dr. Book's findings seem to be validated here at CompUSA, a computer retailer in

Raleigh. In addition, say, computer consumers are already showing interest in the TV PC combo. Already you can play DVD movie discs on your computer. And there are also TV tuner cards on the market. They convert your analog TV signal into a digital one and play your favorite TV programs right on your computer desktop. You can be on the internet or you can be working on a Word document or spreadsheet, whatever you need to do and watch your favorite soap opera or headline news or some other program that you need to see. It's digital technology that's making all of this possible, a computer language that makes your TV and your PC compatible. Once analog signals are replaced by digital ones, the video on your computer monitor slash high-definition television will be even better and you'll be able to interact with your programs.

For example, if you're watching an educational documentary, you could click on an icon for more information or you might be able to download entire programs onto your hard drive. Just imagine if you could tell your television said, hey, I missed last week's episode of ER. Can you send it to me and then the components in the computer that are like a PC, send that information to the network and then within 10 minutes they've downloaded that episode of ER and you're watching it. I mean, it's that kind of interactivity that they're hoping the two combined will give you. But that kind of interactivity may be a long way off. That's because the computer industry and the television industry don't exactly see eye-to-eye on how digital television should be packaged. A computer monitor reads television pictures differently than a television monitor does. Each industry has invested a lot of money in their respective technologies. Now DTV engineers are trying to figure out which technology is best. For the consumer that probably means a slowdown in this process, you know, while they work

this stuff out. In the end, it may very well be consumers who decide which technology is best. They may opt for high definition. They may opt for interactive TV or they could choose both. Dr. Connie Bookstudy shows an overwhelming interest in the high definition pictures the broadcasting industry will provide. But there's also an obvious interest here in the computer world where entertainment and information have already started coming together. Now, there's so much out there, so much information, so much data at your fingertips. You don't have to wait, I wonder who to call anymore and you just go to anything you want to find out now you can get it on the internet. And this is just another step in that direction with the computers and the TV. Now if you'd like to learn more about digital television, make plans to attend a DTV open house here at our UNC TV facility in Research Triangle Park. The event will take place on Monday, April 5th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The open house will feature a traveling DTV demonstration team called the DTV Express.

The Express is a specially designed 66-foot tractor trailer truck outfitted with the latest in the futuristic digital television equipment. The open house will also include refreshments and tours of the UNC TV Center for Public Television. While coming up on the program, the answer to our sports question and a conversation with the creator of the rules of the game. But first, here's Mitchell Lewis with a summary of the events making news around our state. Hello, Mitch. Hi there, Marita. Good evening, everyone. Members of the State House of Representatives are offering up a substitute plan on how the state should divvy up its share of tobacco settlement funds. The House plan proposes the creation of three separate entities to receive the money. Under the House plan, a non-profit corporation would oversee half of the state's $4.6 billion share of the settlement to provide economic assistance to tobacco-dependent communities. The other half would be equally divided among two separate trust funds, one to serve the interest of tobacco growers and the other to address health-related concerns.

Simply stated, of the $4.6 billion that we expect to receive over the next 25 years or so, we're proposing half of those funds, $2.3 billion, be placed in its non-profit corporation. Now, this non-profit corporation will be governed by this 15-member board. They will set forth the criteria for those ability in order to receive those funds. The balance, the other 50% of those proceeds. We are, this bill proposes to divide those between those tobacco-related issues and the health issues. Again, the specifics of those trust funds must be made by you in subsequent legislation. The Senate bill proposes putting 50% at a foundation and the other 50% under the control of the legislature. The lawmakers have until March 15 to approve legislation to create the non-profit foundation. Failure to do so will result in all of the tobacco settlement proceeds going under the

control of the General Assembly. The latest statistics indicate different counties are enrolling in the state's new child health insurance program at grossly differing rates. According to state officials, a number of smaller, more rural counties have reached or surpassed enrollment projections. In contrast, officials say some of the state's larger and more populous counties are lagging behind. Mecklenburg, Durham and Wake Counties have all recruited less than 50% of their eligible children. State officials estimate that as of last month, about 38% of eligible children, 18 and under, have been enrolled in the federally subsidized health insurance program. Tarhill drivers will see a drop in insurance rate starting in November. In North Carolina, Raid Bureau says it's proposing a 5% average cut in auto insurance rates. The Bureau represents auto insurance statewide, and says it can offer the reduction because of a decline in the number of crashes and fewer claims being filed. The proposed reduction is the first time in seven years that the insurance industry has

requested a rate cut. State Insurance Commissioner Jim Long says he may push for even bigger savings. Early campaigning for the year 2000 governor's race could leave Jim Hunt without a number of key cabinet members. Transportation Secretary Norris Tulson is said to be considering a run for governor, and crime control secretary Richard Moore is said to be eyeing the post of Lieutenant Governor. A spokesman for Jim Hunt says the governor will require any cabinet secretary who announces for statewide office in 2000 to step down. Neither Tulson or Moore are said to have discussed departure plans with Governor Hunt. And now for a look at tomorrow's weather, mountain areas are expected to come out from under freezing temperatures and reach into the forties. The rest of the state will see highs mostly in the low fifties, partly cloudy skies of forecast statewide for Wednesday with no indication of lingering precipitation. In business news, RGR Nabisco has reportedly signed an agreement to sell its international tobacco business to a Japanese company. The reported $8 billion deal will give Japan tobacco RGR's international tobacco businesses

and rights to camel, Winston and Salem branch cigarettes. In addition, RGR will reportedly separate its domestic tobacco business from its Nabisco food operations. Dairy farmers in North Carolina and across the nation stand to benefit from a relief package being offered by the federal government. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is doling out $200 million to farmers in an effort to counter the effects of a drop in dairy prices. State agriculture officials say falling dairy prices have resulted in a cut of almost 40% in the income of tar-healed dairy farmers. Vegetable producers could be in line for payments of up to $5,000 each. Bell South plans to compete head-to-head with GTE by offering phone service to business customers in Durham County. Bell South has said to be particularly interested in the research triangle park's corporate clients, like IBM, Glaxo Welcom and the Environmental Protection Agency. A GTE spokesman says the company will be ready for competition after the completion of its merger with Bell Atlantic Corporation, due to be finalized by the end of the year.

About 400 Winston-Salem workers will be caught up in a huge regional downsizing plan announced by Pony Express. The package delivery company plans to shut down operations in 11 southeastern states, including North Carolina. The job cuts are expected to impact about 5,000 employees, with about 400 workers slated to lose their jobs in Winston-Salem. Many officials say layoffs will take effect in about a month, and no severance packages will be offered to workers. And now for a look at what happened on Wall Street today. Thank you!

Our guest tonight describes himself as a regular guy. He's from Clayton, North Carolina, and he's been a mailman for 17 years. But his success story is anything but usual. With the assistance of his mother and the financial backing of his neighbors in Clayton, Robert Poole has invented a board game that is taking the nation by storm. The game is called Rules of the Game. Robert Poole, thanks for being here tonight. Thank you so much, Maria. Tell our viewers a little bit about this game. Well, I thought of it.

When I was coaching, I realized just how few people really knew the rules. Actually, the fans, the coaches, the players. And I thought, why not create a game where you actually teach the rules as you play the game? A lot of people compare it to trivia pursuit. You roll the die, you move around the board. But the difference here is every question deals with a rules situation, from baseball, basketball, football, and golf. So as you move around the board, even when you're not answering the questions, if you're listening, you're actually learning the sports that are involved in the game. And this is not an easy game. Well, now I didn't want to make it easy, Maria. You know, who wants to play a dull, boring board game where you know all the answers? So what I did, I went through rule books, case books. I interviewed referees, golf interpreters. I actually wrote down stuff that happened in my 15 years of coaching baseball and four years in football that happened that you don't see every day. And you know, I put it in a folder and then I thought, one day, this is what I want to do, create a game. And I actually thought that when trivia pursuit was so popular. And I thought, wow, here's an idea. And I actually started playing it with customers on my route.

A lot of them would come up to me and say, hey, this happened to my kid last night. I think the referee missed it or the empire missed the ruling. What is the call? And if I didn't know it, I'd go look it up. Or I'd call some of my friends who were either referees or empires. And then next day I'd come back with the answer. And I just thought it was a great idea, as I did my research, there was not a game out there like that. And we're really talking about humble beginnings that this got started. You went home to your mother and she helped you actually type up the questions. Actually, what I did, I went into her one day and I said, look, I've been wanting to do this. I bought a word process or two years earlier. And I said, here's my idea. Instead of mom saying, sure, you know, I got some land. I'll say whatever. She said, well, let's do it. And I said, well, number one, will you split the cost with me? Because here I am a male man and I'm raising two kids. And the legal fees are just astronomical and the patent searches and all that other stuff. So we split the cost and then she actually typed every question in a computer. I would actually sit there and read them to her. And then we'd sit in input.

So she helped me. I mean, everybody in town really came forward. You know, we did an offering where we sold some stock. This is like 80% of the stock in your company owned by people in Clayton? 80 or more percent, yeah. It's flattering, but it's real scary, too, because, you know, every night I'm thinking, wow, I got 300 people. I got their money. And I don't say I got it, but, you know, our company's got their money. We're very happy that we're in Kmart Nationwide now. We're waiting to hear from Walmart and Target. Every time I go on the radio and play this and read it, it's phenomenal what happens. And so we feel like, once we get the word out nationwide, it's going to go good. It's going to go big. And now we're finally got the money to where we can go nationwide with some publicity. And you've reached the point now where you can hire some marketing people. In fact, the folks that are marketing your game, market a trivial pursuit and a couple other big time games. That's correct. When I first started this, I went ahead and researched, how did trivial pursuit and fictionary become so popular? Well, I found out trivial pursuit for a year and a half didn't even have any advertising.

It was strictly this PR firm, Linda Pazano. She heads Pazano in corporate. She took that and they just did sampling. They sent games to a lot of celebrities. They sent sample packs everywhere. And the game caught on actually by, you know, word of mouth. And what I told her was, okay, look, we're going to do all that. Plus, we're going to buy a lot of advertising. I guess it's quick. But, you know, we're real happy the way things are going. It's still scary. So how are the people in Clayton responding? Well, our stock is going public in a couple weeks. And actually, by the time this airs, hopefully we'll be trading publicly. You know, they're happy. I think a lot of solid was a good idea and thinks they can make some money. And I mean, I imagine some people did it because they wanted to help. But, you know, when you hand over your money to somebody, you're hoping you can get a good return for it, too. So it's scary, but I think a lot of people are, you know, kind of sitting on their edge and sitting like me to see what really is going to happen. But, you know, the reaction has been phenomenal when we've been, you know,

able to get on the air on TV and radio. Now, we don't actually have the game in front of us. That's because I didn't want to have to answer any other tough questions. Well, let me give you a few of that. Okay. Well, maybe you can give our viewers an idea of some of the questions that are in the game. Sure. I'll give you a couple I really like. A line drive hits a runner standing on the base. Is that runner out? No. Why not? I don't know, but my answer is no. Well, most people say no because they think if you're standing on a base, you're not out. Right. But you're actually out because you're in a fair territory. Here's another one I like. A field goal attempt is blocked. You're making me feel very stupid. No, no, no, no, because nobody gets that one. Here's another one. A line drive hits a runner standing on the, I'm sorry, I just gave it in. A field goal attempt is blocked. Okay. But it bounces right back to the kicker. Okay. Now, we know he can run or to throw it. But could he actually drop kick it through the uprights after it's been blocked? Yes. You're exactly right. Woo-hoo! And that's the type of game it is, but you know, all the questions are fun. Yeah.

Well, it sounds really wonderful. And more so than the game is the wonderful success story that's behind it and all the people and Clayton that have rallied around you. Well, we hope it's a success story. We feel like we're heading in the right direction anyway. Well, good luck to you. And thanks so much for coming by to share your story. Thank you so much. It's been a pleasure. Now, you can get more information about rules of the game or you can actually purchase the game via the internet. So, what's your interest is www.RulesOfTheGame.net. Now, at the top of the program, I asked you a question from Robert Pools' board game, RulesOfTheGame.

And that question was, in college basketball, a team does not have to be notified by the scorekeeper when it takes its fifth charge time out. Sure, false. The answer is true, and most UNC fans should know the answer to that one, because Michigan's Chris Weber found out the hard way in the NCAA championship game back in 93. Remember that? I wonder what kind of trivia will come out of this year's journey. Well, that'll do it for tonight's edition of North Carolina Now. I'll be heading back over to the other studio for Festival 99. Please stay tuned for that. And join us again to bar and night at 7.30 for another edition of North Carolina Now. Good night. Music Music Music Music Music

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