NextLevel invests in new programming technology for its digital video system..............
NextLevel Systems, Inc. Invests in ACTV, Inc. and Enters Into Joint Marketing Program
PR Newswire - August 04, 1997 17:31
NextLevel demonstrates its commitment to delivering value-added digital services on its open digital platform
HATBORO, Pa., August 4 /PRNewswire/ -- NextLevel Systems, Inc. (NYSE: NLV)
Broadband Networks Group announced today that it has made a $1 million
investment in ACTV, Inc. (Nasdaq: IATV) a leader in providing individualized
TV programming applications.
The companies also have agreed to jointly market ACTV's individualized
television programming application that operates with NextLevel's current
generation interactive digital system and consumer set-top terminals.
"This agreement exemplifies NextLevel's commitment to provide system
operators with value-added enhanced services that will enable them to derive
new revenue streams and create a fully differentiated network for their
subscribers," said Edward D. Breen, President of NextLevel's Broadband
Networks Group.
ACTV, through its proprietary programming technology, significantly
improves the quality of television through the individualization of
programming, thus enhancing the viewing experience. For example, the
individualization of hockey coverage includes unique features that recap the
game's hardest hits, a compilation of the game's best saves, isolated shots of
the game's featured players, a summary of all goals scored throughout the
game, on demand instant replays and in-depth statistics.
For the past two years, ACTV and FOX Sports Net (FSN) have jointly
produced more than 250 individualized sporting events which were delivered to
customers of TCI Cable of Ventura County. Quantified research has
demonstrated the commercial appeal of individualized sports, and ACTV and FSN
are developing regional individualized networks which feature FSN programming.
Under an existing license agreement, the parties will launch the first of
these sports-based individualized regional networks later this year.
"Not only is today's agreement an affirmation of the commercial viability
of ACTV's digital regional network concept, but it also reaffirms our ability
to further assist in truly differentiating cable's digital platform," said
David Reese, President of ACTV Entertainment. "The reality of digital
television is due in no small part to NextLevel's aggressive support of the
evolution of the platform. Furthermore, NextLevel's DCT-1000 set-top is the
only interactive digital terminal capable of delivering ACTV's individualized
programming."
To date, NextLevel has shipped more than 300,000 digital consumer set-tops
and has delivered more than 60 digital headends, reaching more than six
million homes in North America. The current generation set-top terminal, the
DCT-1000, is designed to provide real-time interactivity, as well as a
standards-compliant platform with open application interfaces (API). Part of
NextLevel's MPEG-2 digital system, the DCT-1000 enables system operators to
provide enhanced picture and sound quality, expanded channel counts and the
latest interactive options, including Web browsing and other high-speed
Internet access services, video on demand, shopping and other services.
ACTV, Inc. is headquartered in New York. The company's subsidiary, ACTV
Entertainment, also has offices in Los Angeles and Dallas.
NextLevel Systems, Inc. is a leading worldwide supplier of systems and
components for high-performance communications networks delivering video,
voice and Internet/data services. Created in the recent restructuring of
General Instrument Corporation, NextLevel Systems comprises three business
that are leaders in distinct global growth markets: the Broadband Networks
Group, based in Hatboro, Pa.; the Satellite Data Networks Group, based in San
Diego, Calif.; and Next Level Communications, based in Rohnert Park, Calif.
NextLevel Systems, headquartered in Chicago, posted revenues of $1.8 billion
in 1996, and employs more than 8,300 people around the world.
Visit us at our Web Site - nlvl.com
SOURCE NextLevel Systems, Inc.
CONTACT: Sharon Corbitt, Manager, Media Relations, of NextLevel
Broadband Networks Group, 215-830-5858, or scorbitt@nlvl.com; or Dick Badler,
VP, Corporate Communications, of of NextLevel Systems, Inc., 773-695-1030, or
dbadler@nlvl.com; or Stu Ginsburg of ACTV Public Relations, Bender, Goldman
and Helper, 212-371-0798, or sginsburg@bghny.com |
