Pioneer (Cube partner).............
biz.yahoo.com
Pioneer Digital Technologies to Integrate ACTV's
"Individualized Television" Into Its Passport Navigation
Suite
Enabling Viewers to "Be the Director" of the Programming They
Watch, "Individualized Television" Adds Value and Capabilities to
Pioneer's Passport System
BURBANK, Calif./NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 23, 1999-- Pioneer
Digital Technologies, Inc. and ACTV, Inc. (NASDAQ: IATV - news) today announced that
Pioneer will integrate ACTV's patented ''Individualized Television'' digital programming
capabilities into Pioneer's Passport(TM) Navigation and Applications Software Suite.
ACTV uses proprietary software technologies to create ''Individualized Television,'' which takes traditional television
programming into the digital age by allowing viewers to switch seamlessly among multiple, real-time feeds of video, audio and
data. Using a standard digital set-top box and remote control, a viewer can switch between the regular programming feed and a
multitude of personal options and features.
ACTV's proprietary software remembers viewer commands and responses to on-screen prompts, enabling the television to
''talk back'' to an unlimited number of viewers with individually-tailored television programming and targeted, addressable
advertising content. ''Individualized Television'' can enhance a variety of television genres, including sporting events, news,
game shows, children's programming and advertising. For sporting events, ACTV's ''Individualized Television'' offers more
than 60 viewing options such as Star Cam, an isolated camera focused on a featured player; instant replay on demand; in-depth
statistics; scoring summaries; and relevant video feature stories and interviews at the touch of a button.
'''Individualized Television' is a natural fit with the suite of applications in the Passport system,'' said Neil Jones, senior vice
president of operations and business development for Pioneer Digital Technologies, Inc. ''By making it possible for each
viewer to create his or her own unique, interactive media experience, 'Individualized Television' takes full advantage of the
power of the digital platform.''
Jones added, ''As a result of ACTV's capabilities, cable operators who deploy the Passport system will be able to offer a
significant and valuable new service to subscribers.''
Pioneer's Passport software provides a digital set-top solution that includes a wide range of features including interactive
program guides, channel banner browsing, pay-per-view and other downloadable interactive applications such as
Web-browsing, VOD, email, chat, weather, sports, stocks and news. The company's set-top box Voyager(TM), along with
the Passport Navigation Suite, will deliver true interactivity in a home-entertainment environment. The Voyager is designed with
a built-in, real-time RF reverse path transmitter to enable a range of new two-way applications, video-on-demand
training/education-on-demand, Web browsing, direct-purchase merchandising and local information services. Integration of
ACTV's technology in the Passport Navigation Suite will enable the companies to deliver ''Individualized Television'' via the
Pegasus platform, designed for Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWX - news), as well as other digital set-top platforms.
''With Passport, Pioneer has developed a powerful, multi-faceted system that gives viewers more control over their digital
viewing experience,'' said Dave Alworth, executive vice president of ACTV Entertainment. ''We look forward to working with
Pioneer to expand the audience for 'Individualized Television' and other digital services.''
ABOUT PIONEER DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Pioneer Digital Technologies, Inc. (PDT) was established in San Diego in 1996. It is a joint venture between Pioneer New
Media Technologies, Inc. and Pioneer Electronic Corporation. The company is an engineering-based advanced products
development division and is responsible for hardware and software design, as well as development for the next generation of
cable TV set-top boxes. Based in Long Beach, CA, Pioneer New Media Technologies, Inc. delivers innovative solutions to the
cable television marketplace and is a subsidiary of Pioneer Electronic Corporation.
ABOUT ACTV, INC.
Whether it's for the rapidly emerging digital television platform, the Internet or a convergent TV-Internet experience, New
York-based ACTV, Inc. uses its proprietary and patented software applications -- HyperTV(TM) and ''Individualized
Television'' -- to dramatically enhance any television or video-based program. ACTV is committed to improving the television
and Internet experience for consumers by enabling the creation of more compelling content, while allowing programmers,
advertisers and others to establish valuable one-to-one relationships with consumers.
ACTV has relationships with many of the dominant players in the Internet, television and digital technology fields, including:
Liberty Media Group (NYSE: LMG.A - news, LMG.B - news); AT&T Broadband & Internet Services (formerly
Tele-Communications, Inc.; NYSE: T); General Instrument Corporation (NYSE: GIC - news); Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. (NYSE:
SFA - news); Sun Microsystems (NASDAQ: SUNW - news); FOX Sports Net; TCI Music's The Box Music Network
(NASDAQ: TUNE - news, TUNEP - news); TV Guide Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: TVGIA - news); SkyConnect, Inc.;
Pioneer Digital Technologies, Inc.; Cablevision's Rainbow Sports; and The Sarnoff Corporation. In September 1998, ACTV
Entertainment and Liberty Media formed a joint venture, LMC/IATV Events, LLC. ACTV Entertainment and HyperTV
Networks, Inc. are subsidiaries of ACTV, Inc. For more information, visit ACTV's Web site at actv.com.
Disclaimer: This news release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or
performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements which are other than statements of historical facts. These
statements are subject to uncertainties and risks including, but not limited to, product and service demand and acceptance,
changes in technology, economic conditions, the impact of competition and pricing, government regulation, and other risks
defined in this document and in statements filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All such
forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, and whether made by or on behalf of the Company, are expressly
qualified by the cautionary statements and any other cautionary statements which may accompany the forward-looking
statements. In addition, the company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or
circumstances after the date hereof.
Contact:
Bratskeir & Company (for ACTV)
Mike Rosen
David Rosenberg
212-679-2233
mrosen@bratskeir.com
drosenberg@bratskeir.com
or
Shandwick Convergence (for Pioneer Digital)
Joey Lee
310-201-8871
jlee@shandwick.com |
