iwks.com
Media group Granada has announced ground-breaking plans to become the first company to provide free Internet access via the television, following an alliance with PowerChannel Europe. Granada will invest £13.5 million into database management company PowerChannel Europe, and take a 23.5 per cent equity stake as part of the deal, while PowerChannel will be responsible for managing the back-end services required to run the service. The alliance will provide customers with a TV Internet box allowing access to the Internet and enabling consumers to send and receive emails. Steve Morrison, chief executive of Granada Media, said: "This alliance changes the rules of the Internet. "Up to now, home Internet access has been restricted to those who own computers and an estimated 70 per cent of UK homes are not yet online. From now on, it's no longer necessary to have a computer in order to access the Internet." The TV Internet box is connected to any analogue or digital television and phone line, and is operated by a remote control keyboard. Internet call charges will be at local rates. Customers will be asked to complete a brief monthly consumer survey online and put down a £30 refundable deposit. The boxes will initially be distributed through 440 Granada Rental shops and will be available nationwide from July. "We are offering anyone who has a TV and a phone the opportunity to get online," added Steve Morrison.
20/4/00
global.co.za
Free internet access via your TV coming soon
London, April 25 – British companies Granada Media and PowerChannel Europe have formed an alliance to provide "free" access to the internet through television.
British companies Granada Media and PowerChannel Europe have formed an alliance to provide "free" access to the internet through television, Granada announced this week.
As part of the alliance, Granada Media, a unit of leading British commercial television group Granada, has bought a 23.5% stake in PowerChannel Europe, an internet specialist on consumer data, for £13.5 million.
In a statement, Granada said the alliance will provide British customers with a TV internet box that allows them full access to the internet and to send and receive emails through their TV set. In exchange, customers will be asked to complete a monthly consumer survey online and pay a £30 refundable deposit.
Steve Morrison, chief executive of Granada Media, said: "This alliance changes the rules of the internet. Up to now, home internet access has been restricted to those who own computers and an estimated £70 of UK homes are not yet online."
James Gambrell, chief executive of PowerChannel, added: "It combines the strength of Granada's distribution, marketing, advertising, and customer care with PowerChannel's expertise in personalised consumer information services and technical infrastructure." (AFP)
*******
You know... I had been writing off the Powerchannel partnership since nothing seemed to come of their launch over a year ago...
powerchannel.net
But I'm beginning to reassess all of that now.. even with what you've put out earlier...
I'm starting to get the warm, fuzzy, feeling all over...
One of these days we're going to finally get recognized...
Regards,
Ron |
