In 1996 and 1998, Diamond Sports & Entertainment, in association with IMG and CBS Sports, produced the Great Skate Debate competitions. The competitions aired in prime time on CBS and were among the highest rated skating shows each year. The 1998 program pioneered new territory as Excite@Home hosted the "internet vote" which allowed home viewers to cast their vote after each skater performance. The results were blended with the in-arena audience vote (in real-time) to determine the winners. Millions of votes were cast and the fans loved it.
Unfortunately in 1999 and 2000, the concept lost momentum as a result of antitrust concerns between television networks and internet portals as mergers began happening. Everyone's hands have been tied . . . until American Idol!
