Press release of Interactive TV test using WavePhore codecs in Win98:
Tribune Puts Web TV for Windows in Academy Awards Spotlight
03/24/98 PR Newswire
(Copyright (c) 1998, PR Newswire)
CHICAGO, March 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Tribune Company (NYSE: TRB) became the first broadcaster to create live, interactive programming for Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) Windows '98. A special vertical blanking interval (VBI) simulcast of Tribune's special, "Live From the Academy Awards," was broadcast to beta testers on Mon., March 23.
The two-hour special, hosted by Sam Rubin and Leanza Cornett, was enhanced with additional text and graphics about celebrities attending the event. The enhanced programming was viewed through the WebTV for Windows component of Windows '98.
Using Tribune content and Microsoft tools, Tribune producers inserted programming into the VBI during the live telecast. The VBI is commonly used for closed captioning. Career highlights and other details about the celebrities interviewed by the show's hosts were displayed. The enhanced content also included background material about the Academy Awards(R) pageantry, as well as such interactive games as "Dodge the Iceberg" for the movie, Titanic.
"Microsoft is pleased to provide technology to enable Tribune to deliver the first widespread broadcast of interactive programming for WebTV for Windows," said Steve Guggenheimer, group product manager, Digital Television, Microsoft. "This trial will enable Tribune to gain experience with content and receive feedback from viewers prior to the digital rollout."
"What made this a unique experience was that we were able to create and deliver enhanced programming on-the-fly during a live event using Microsoft's VBI technology," said Lisa Wiersma, Tribune director/development, who is directing the company's digital TV planning efforts. "Enhanced programming is one of the many ways Tribune may utilize the digital capacity that our 16 television stations will be building out over the next several years. By experimenting early, we can better evaluate and plan our signal usage."
"Live at the Academy Awards" was broadcast from KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, and syndicated nationally by Tribune Entertainment. The interactive portion was created by Tribune Interactive producers at WGN-TV, Chicago.
Tribune (NYSE: TRB) is a leading media company with operations in television and radio broadcasting , publishing, education and interactive ventures. It is an industry leader in venture partnerships with new-media companies.
Tribune ranked No. 1 among its industry peers in Fortune magazine's
1997-1998 list of America's most-admired companies.
Tribune Broadcasting owns and operates 16 major market television stations; has FCC approval pending on stations in Seattle and Grand Rapids; maintains an ownership interest in Qwest Broadcasting stations in New Orleans and Atlanta; manages one station in Washington, D.C.; and has an LMA in Hartford.
Tribune Broadcasting owns minority interests in The WB Television Network and TV Food Network. The company also owns and operates four radio stations, including three stations in Denver and WGN-AM in Chicago. Tribune Entertainment, a subsidiary of Tribune Broadcasting, develops, produces and syndicates first-run television programming. In addition, Tribune owns the Chicago Cubs baseball team.
Tribune Publishing publishes four market-leading newspapers -- the Chicago Tribune, the South Florida-based Sun-Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel and the Hampton Roads (Va.)-based Daily Press, all of which provide a dynamic blend of print and interactive content and services. Tribune Media Services syndicates news and information for print and electronic media. Tribune Regional Programming is responsible for video and audio publishing initiatives, including two 24-hour cable news channels: CLTV News in Chicago and Central Florida News 13 (CFN 13), a partnership with Time Warner Communications in Orlando.
More information on Tribune is available on the Internet:
tribune.com. Earnings and other news releases also can be
accessed by calling 1-800-757-1694.
CONTACT: Megan Bueschel, 312-222-3456, or fax, 312-222-1573, of Tribune Company, or Mbueschel@tribune.com; , Danielle Borel, Waggener Edstrom for Microsoft, 408-986-1140, or fax, 408-986-1390, or Danielleb@wagged.com/
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