Geocast Network Systems
Selects THOMSON multimedia
to Develop, Manufacture, Market
'Beyond-the-Internet'
Digital Television Receivers
Alliance Advances Company Business Strategy
MENLO PARK, Calif. — Dec. 7, 1999 — Geocast Network Systems, Inc.
announced today that THOMSON multimedia (NYSE: TMS), the
manufacturer and marketer of RCA, PROSCAN, and GE-brand home
entertainment and information products, will develop, manufacture and market
the Geocast receiver under the RCA brand. Geocast and Thomson will
collaborate to develop the Geocast receiver that will deliver digital-quality
audio, full-motion video and instant software downloads to the PC. In
addition, Geocast receives a $15 million investment and gains James E.
Meyer, senior executive vice president and chief operating officer,
THOMSON multimedia, as a member of Geocast's board of directors.
Geocast is setting the framework for a comprehensive new service and
network that will deliver customized rich-media information and entertainment
programming to the PC desktop via digital TV broadcast signals. By
combining the efficiency and immediacy of broadcast with the customization
and control of the PC, Geocast will give consumers personalized content with
CD-quality audio, full-motion video and instant software downloads. Geocast
is backed by funding from Mayfield Fund, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers
and Institutional Venture Partners.
"With our rich history of innovation in home entertainment and information
product, consumers look to RCA for revolutionary technologies. The Geocast
network and service will radically improve the way PC users get information
and entertainment and Thomson's role of delivering an RCA branded Geocast
receiver is yet another example of our broadcast and digital technology
leadership," Meyer said.
"Thomson's investment in Geocast is one more step in the process of building
a comprehensive new wireless digital data broadcasting service in the United
States that will offer rich content initially for the PC, and potentially for all
home-based digital devices including digital TV sets and emerging information
appliances," said James E. Meyer, senior executive vice president, Thomson
multimedia.
"We're excited to be working closely with THOMSON multimedia, whose
trusted brands and proven marketing and distribution expertise can help
ensure that Geocast receivers and service will become available to consumers
on a wide-scale basis," said H. Joseph Horowitz, chairman and CEO of
Geocast Network Systems. "Our agreement with the nation's number one
consumer electronics manufacturer and marketer further strengthens the three
pillars upon which our business strategy is based: rich-media content and
entertainment programming; digital broadcast bandwidth; and Geocast
receiver distribution."
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