WorldGate a threat to ATHM? Your thoughts appreciated.
WorldGate was founded by former SFA employees. WorldGate is offering
internet TV with speeds up to 128k with no additional equipment other than your TV and remote. Although, with the addition of a digital converter speeds of up to 27Mbps are attainable.
WorldGate also has the patent of Channel Hyperlinking, the ability for
subscribers to link directly to a Web site associated with a TV show or commercial announcement with the press of a single button. Logging on to the service, for e-mail, Web browsing or Channel HyperLinking, requires less than five seconds.
Hoovers Description:
The race to send the Internet through the TV is on, and WorldGate Communications is running hard; it has signed on Charter Communications and four other cable companies to launch services. WorldGate delivers full Internet access over cable lines through a set-top box hooked to the TV, delivering data at 128,000 bps (faster than conventional phone modems). Its Channel HyperLinking allows TV viewers to go directly to Web sites associated with TV programs; about 70 TV programmers are HyperLinking partners. WorldGate has received equity investments from its set-top providers, General Instrument
and Scientific-Atlanta, as well as from other large and influential investors.
ipocentral.com
Web Site: wgate.com
Filing date: February 9, 1999
Expected IPO date: TBA |
