Instant live interactive discussion with Al Jazeera’s programme producers on Livestation (9pm NY, 2am London).

Imagine being able to watch a live TV event while chatting about it in real time with the programme producers and other viewers. And imagine having some of your comments fed directly to the studio presenter and, possibly, influencing the direction of the discussion surrounding the live event.

Live TV often invites viewers to text in their comments via sms and email, and these are sometimes read out during the programme. Interactive TV offers red button functionality to encourage viewer feedback. And CNN will be running a live online forum discussion, with staffers taking part, during the Obama McCain presidential debate.

But mixing real time chat, between programme producers and viewers, as a live event is broadcast seems a move in the right direction, particularly when packaged in the player delivering the live TV stream.

So I will be watching Livestation’s streaming of Al Jazeera’s coverage of the presidential candidate’s debate tonight/tomorrow morning, with interest. I’ll be in the chat room just below the Livestation player along with a few of my Livestation colleagues, an Al Jazeera programme producer and loads of people I have never met before. Al Jazeera has a discussion-based programme built around the live debate with reaction from around the globe.

Any Livestation viewer can now be part of that global reaction.

If you don’t have the player, get it here.