CNET Launches New Features for High-Speed Users
CNET Integrates its Leading Television and Online Content to Link Buyers
And Sellers
SAN FRANCISCO, June 28 /PRNewswire/ -- CNET, Inc. (Nasdaq: CNET), the global leader in providing technology news and information, today announced plans to fully integrate its award winning television and online content, becoming the first Internet network to use television to help users make informed buying decisions. With its five weekly technology television shows, CNET is uniquely positioned to offer useful video content combined with its compelling editorial reviews at cnet.com.
"CNET continues to lead the integration of television and online," stated Halsey Minor, CEO of CNET. "In 1995, we pioneered this integration with CNET Central; television's first show tied to the web. Now we're taking television online and giving our users what they want, when they want it, all integrated in once place."
CNET is the largest producer of technology-related television programming in the world, with five weekly television series for cable and broadcast, including CNET Central, The Web, The New Edge, Cool Tech and TV.COM. CNET is also developing a one-hour weekly series for CNBC, to debut in October. Since its inception, CNET Television has garnered over 20 national awards including Computer Press Awards for four consecutive years in a row, winning "Best Overall Television Show" and "Best Television Segment," from 1996-1999.
CNET's High-Tech, High-Speed Users
CNET users are more tech-savvy than the Internet population. Today 68% of CNET's users connect to the Internet with a 56.6K modem or higher (CNET Network Audience Survey, conducted by SiteCentric in September 1998). According to NetSmartAmerica's fall 1998 study of online users, 23% of Internet users are using 56.6 connections or higher.
Useful, Relevant Information
Relevant video searching within CNET.com will empower buyers with all the information they need to make informed purchase decisions. For the first time, CNET will provide video content searching that is easy, useful and complete. For example, when CNET users search for Palm Pilots, they will get a list of results, including video demos. They will be able to watch the demo from CNET TV and read a CNET editorial review. After conducting all their research, they will be able to find the best prices and places to buy online.
CNET teamed with Virage, the pioneer and recognized leader in video and image search software, to create a keyword searchable database of CNET's television programs. CNET is using Virage Interactive, a service offering which integrates searchable and interactive content into Web sites.
CNET has also formed a relationship with INTERVU Inc. (Nasdaq: ITVU), the leading service provider for Internet audio and video delivery solutions. INTERVU will manage and deliver all of CNET Television's video content programming to the CNET Web site through the INTERVU Network; the company's unique patent-pending distributed network. CNET selected INTERVU over its competitors because the INTERVU Network infrastructure has the capability to meet the demands of broadband speed Internet users.
In order to reap all the benefits of this new service, CNET users will need a 56.6K modem or faster and Real Networks Real Player G2, available at www.real.com.
About CNET
CNET, Inc. is at the leading edge of media companies, producing a branded Internet network and television programming for both targeted and general audiences. Online and on television, CNET is the leading authority on computers, the Internet and digital technologies. CNET's network serves millions of users each day. CNET television programming airs on USA Network, the Sci-Fi Channel and in national syndication, as well in 40 foreign countries. CNET effectively owns 40 percent of Snap.com, a search and navigation service for all Internet users, co-owned by NBC. CNET also owns 2.3 million shares of Vignette Corporation, a manufacturer of premier Web publishing software, and approximately 750,000 shares of Beyond.com, the world's leading online software reseller.
SOURCE CNET, Inc.
CO: CNET, Inc.; INTERVU, Inc.;
ST: California
IN: CPR MLM
SU: PDT
06/28/99 07:00 EDT prnewswire.com |
