Friday September 12 9:29 AM EDT
Company Press Release
Starsight Interactive Program Guide Now Available in GTE Digital
Set-Top Boxes
PASADENA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 12, 1997--Gemstar International Group Limited (NASDAQ:GMSTF)
announced today that GTE Media Ventures is offering digital set-top boxes which contain Gemstar's StarSight(R) interactive
program guide in the Tampa Bay area of Florida.
GTE is the first telephone company to launch the feature-rich StarSight on-screen television program guide with one-button
VCR recording. This enhanced version of the StarSight interactive program guide, which is specifically designed for digital
platforms, offers an increased capacity to display channel and program information with high color resolution.
In addition, users will have access to advanced StarSight features, such as the ability to theme sort television shows
alphabetically or by channel, and to rearrange the order in which channels are listed in the guide. The GTE digital set-top box,
the DCT1000, is manufactured by Next Level.
``We are excited that GTE customers will be able to enjoy the convenience and power of the StarSight interactive program
guide,'' said Brian Klosterman, president of StarSight Telecast, Inc. ``They will have access to program information up to
seven days across more than 110 channels with one touch of their remote control, which will greatly enhance their television
viewing experience.''
``Customers of our analog service in Florida frequently comment how much they appreciate StarSight's electronic
programming guide,'' said Rick Wilson, president of GTE Media Ventures, ``so we are delighted to make the enhanced
features of StarSight available through our digital system. It is one of the components of our strategy to compete on the basis of
offering greater value to consumers.''
With revenues of more than $21 billion in 1996, GTE is one of the largest publicly held telecommunications companies in the
world. In the United States, GTE offers local and wireless service in 29 states and long-distance service in all 50 states. GTE
was the first among its peers to offer ``one-stop shopping'' for local, long-distance and Internet access services.
StarSight Telecast, Inc. (www.starsight.com), a wholly owned subsidiary of Gemstar International Group Limited, is the
developer of the StarSight interactive program guide and markets it to cable, telco and MMDS service providers, and directly
to C-band satellite customers.
StarSight Telecast's patented technology is available for both analog and digital platforms, including advanced analog and
digital cable boxes, DBS, PCTV, Internet and other digital products. StarSight Telecast has agreements with major DSS
manufacturers, major cable, and major telco service providers, and with leading advanced analog and digital set-top box
manufacturers. StarSight Telecast also has an agreement with Microsoft Corporation.
Gemstar develops, markets and licenses proprietary technologies and systems aimed at making technology user-friendly for
consumers. Gemstar's VCR Plus+(R) instant programming system is now a world standard for VCR programming. VCR
Plus+ allows a user to record a television show simply by entering a number -- the PlusCode(R) number -- printed in television
program guides.
The PlusCode numbers are published by over 1,500 newspapers and television guides worldwide, with a combined circulation
of over 330 million. The VCR Plus+ system has been licensed to virtually every major television and VCR manufacturer and is
available in over 30 countries, including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Europe, Japan, Southeast Asia, Australia
and New Zealand.
Gemstar launched two new technologies last year, INDEX Plus+(R), a video tape indexing system built into new VCRs which
features an on-screen directory of video tape content by titles automatically captured from the broadcast; and TV GUIDE
Plus+, a no-fee on-screen interactive television guide built into new televisions and VCRs. Gemstar merged with StarSight
Telecast, Inc. in May 1997.
Except for historical information contained here, the matters discussed in this news release contain forward-looking statements
which involve risks and uncertainties, including the timely availability and acceptance of new products, the impact of
competitive products and pricing, the management of growth, and the other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's
SEC reports, including the report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1997.
EDITORS: StarSight is a registered trademark of StarSight Telecast, Inc. VCR Plus+, PlusCode and INDEX Plus+ are
registered trademarks of Gemstar Development Corporation. TV Guide is a registered trademark of TV Guide Financial, Inc.
GUIDE Plus+ is a trademark of Gemstar Development Corporation. Other product names used herein are for identification
purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective companies.
Contact:
Gemstar International Group Limited
Ann L. McDougall, 510/353-3897
Monica Purcell, 626/792-5700
More news for referenced ticker symbols: GMSTF, and related industries: computer, entertainment, internet,
telecommunications.
Additional news and quotes: Microsoft Corp - MSFT. |
