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INTEL PRESS RELEASE
Intel And NBC Work To Speed The Development Of Enhanced DTV
Companies Announce Multi-Year Programming Collaboration
LAS VEGAS, Nev., April 19, 1999 -- Intel Corporation and NBC today announced at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) convention that the companies would collaborate on a multi-year project to create and provide enhanced digital television programming. NBC's enhanced DTV programming is scheduled to be available to viewers in the fall of 1999.
NBC's enhanced DTV programming will provide a variety of new experiences for viewers on multiple digital platforms. Regardless of whether viewers use a DTV-enabled PC, digital television set or powerful set top box, they will be able to watch NBC digital television programming and receive interactive content. Viewers can check an electronic program guide, chat, send electronic greeting cards, take interactive quizzes, watch movie trailers and video sneak-previews of NBC special event programming, check sports statistics and more - all on demand. The network plans an average of three hours a week in enhanced broadcasting content for NBC's Saturday morning Teen NBC ("TNBC") block and NBC sports programming in addition to some enhanced broadcasting each day during prime time.
"Working with Intel, NBC is continuing to lead in the areas of digital television and enhanced data broadcasting," said Tom Rogers, President NBC Cable & Business Development. "Our digital broadcast signal will not only provide viewers with the finest quality video, but now we are making it truly interactive. We are taking the next step in creating converged content for both the PC and the television."
"Our work with NBC is meant to deliver high quality interactive programming to consumers which we hope will drive DTV receivers into the marketplace more quickly," said Ron Whittier, senior vice president, Intel's Content Group. "In this game of chicken and egg, we want consumers to have both the enhanced digital content and the receivers on which to view it in 1999."
Intel will license to NBC the software, tools and applications that will enable the creation and insertion of the enhanced portions of the digital broadcast into NBC's existing programming. NBC's enhanced content will be developed by NBC's interactive television production group, and will utilize NBC's broad range of Internet assets. The content will be compliant with the technical specification currently being approved by the Advanced Television Enhancement Forum (ATVEF), of which Intel and NBC are founding members.
About NBC
NBC, the leader among traditional media companies in Internet and new media businesses, holds equity stakes in Snap.com, CNET, Launch Media, Talk City, iVillage, Telescan and ValueVision International. NBC maintains NBC.com, the first TV network Web site to feature original programming and operates NBC Interactive Neighborhood, a localized Internet community guide service customized for over 100 local NBC stations. NBC also owns VideoSeeker (www.videoseeker.com), an on-demand Internet video service operated with InterVU Inc. With Microsoft, NBC owns and operates MSNBC, a 24-hour cable news network and Internet news service at www.msnbc.com. Also, together with Microsoft and Dow Jones, NBC operates CNBC/Dow Jones Business Video, offering video- and audio-based financial news and information to financial professionals and institutions. Other new media innovations from NBC include interactive television initiatives with Intel for NBC Intercast, Microsoft WebTV for Windows and WebTV Plus, Wink-enhanced programming with Wink Communications, electronic program guides with Gemstar and on-demand video services with Intertainer.
Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom. |
