Interactive Channel for Pegasus......................................
Source Media's Interactive Channel to Provide Internet TV Applications for Scientific-Atlanta's Explorer 2000 Digital Set-Top
December 19, 1997
------------------------------------------------------------------------
DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE) via Individual Inc. --
Agreement With Scientific-Atlanta Makes Interactive Channel
One Of The First Applications Planned
For Deployment On Explorer Platform
Fueling the further deployment of cable- delivered Internet TV via digital set-top boxes, Interactive Channel, a subsidiary of Source Media (NASDAQ: SRCM) will provide an Internet access application for distribution on Scientific-Atlanta's (NYSE: SFA) Explorer(R) 2000 digital set-top.
The cable industry is looking for ways to jump-start multiple digital business opportunities. The Interactive Channel allows cable operators to offer their subscribers TV-based Internet access, including direct links to Web sites and E-mail, and local content such as interactive games, on-demand sports scores, pay-per-view guides with full motion video clips, on-demand shopping, and a variety of cable-branded interactive content such as programming guides. The Interactive Channel demonstrated its capabilities over the Explorer 2000 set-top last week at the Western Cable Show.
"We are very pleased with the package of services that Source Media's Interactive Channel brings to the Explorer 2000 platform," said Michael Harney, vice president/general manager of Scientific-Atlanta Digital Video Systems division. "Internet TV over cable combined with compelling local programming will be a strong offering that presents cable operators a variety of new revenue opportunities."
Source Media will also be utilizing its extensive library of interactive programming and content for Scientific-Atlanta's digital set-tops.
The Explorer 2000 set-top, which Scientific-Atlanta plans to begin delivering in the spring of 1998, will be an interactive-ready set-top terminal to provide network operators with the flexibility to deploy both broadcast and two-way digital capabilities immediately. The set-top will include a reverse-path transmitter to allow operators to migrate from broadcast to two-way services as market demand and content increase. Time Warner Cable has selected the Explorer set-top for deployment in its Pegasus digital system, and Comcast Cable Communications will be deploying Explorer set-tops in its Baltimore Metro system.
"Since the Interactive Channel is downloaded to the digital platform, operators spend zero dollars on launching the Channel to their digital rollout," noted Tom Oliver, the Channel's CEO. "Initiating a new economic engine for cable television, we also provide a free head-end server package so that systems can begin receiving incremental revenue from day one while selecting from a menu of interactive applications, including Internet access."
Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. ( sciatl.com) is a leading supplier of broadband communications systems, satellite-based video, voice and data communications networks, and worldwide customer service and support.
Source Media is a leader in the development and introduction of new interactive technologies and programming. Source Media's telephone subsidiary, the IT Network, provides electronic telephone directory services for Yellow Pages directories to over 80 million households and businesses nationwide. The company launched the Interactive Channel with Century Communications Corporation's system in Colorado Springs, Colorado in late 1996, delivering on-demand local and national programming to cable subscribers utilizing full-color photographic images and sound. Deployable today in both analog and digital cable systems, the Interactive Channel has also launched with Marcus Cable Company L.P., and has a carriage agreement with Cablevision Systems Corporation.
Note to Editors: Explorer is a registered trademark of Scientific-Atlanta, Inc.
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about confidence and strategies and plans and expectations about new and existing products, services, technologies and opportunities, industry growth, demand, demand and acceptance of new and existing products, and returns on investments in products and markets are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could significantly impact Source Media. These include but are not limited to the projected and historical losses of Source Media, lack of capital resources, development nature of its business, uncertainty of subscriber acceptance for the Interactive Channel, possible unavailability of equipment, potential acquisition, potential profits of the telephone division and other factors discussed from time to time in Source Media's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
CONTACT: Mary Lynn Carver Stu Ginsburg | Interactive Channel Bender, Goldman & Helper | 972/701-5407 212/371-0798
[Copyright 1997, Business Wire] |
