Intel, ‘Survivor’ producers plan show on wearables and smart technology

According to The Wall Street Journal, the network is in the process of creating America’s Greatest Makers, a new series backed by Survivor creator Mark Burnett and sponsored by Intel that will pit competitors against each other to create the next big wearable device.

The pact was unveiled Tuesday at the Intel Developer Forum in San Francisco.

The series will be based on a similar challenge, with interested parties invited to apply through the program’s website.

The project will begin with digital and social content that will lead up to a semi-final stage, at which point the TBS series kicks off with a special episodes introducing the teams.

The idea is to produce content that can span “the breadth and scope of the Turner portfolio, across multiple screens and levels of engagement”, the broadcaster said in a release.

Burnett, who will serve as executive producer, commented: “This is much more than just a linear TV series”.

Intel actually ran a similar contest a year ago, titled “Make it Wearable” with a $500,000 prize pool, but the new competition will be broadcast on TV. “As we embark on this new partnership with Intel and Mark Burnett, we have the opportunity to encourage innovative spirit, empower and inspire viewers to share content, reach the right audiences and, in the end, drive business results that matter.” This is the future. “We look forward to working with Intel and producer Mark Burnett on America’s Greatest Makers and can’t wait to see the truly awesome technology that emerges from it”. “Through initiatives like ‘America’s Greatest Makers, ‘ we aim to provide the technology platforms and inspiration for creators to more easily take part in the growing connected devices boom”. “This is a huge cross-platform media event”. Available in 96 million households, TBS features such original comedies as American Dad! General Electric is also getting into tech and science programming with a new documentary series called Breakthrough that will air on the National Geographic Channel in November.