FYI-> A revenue reminder for newbies.
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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.
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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
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