ACTV Acquires Assets of CatchTV, Including Key TV-Internet "Bookmarking"
Technology
NEW YORK, Nov 23, 1999 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
Strengthens Intellectual Property Portfolio for
TV-Internet Convergence Programming, Powered By HyperTV(TM)
ACTV, Inc. (NASDAQ: IATV) today announced it has acquired all the
assets of CatchTV. Included in the assets are the rights to proprietary
and patented technology that enables a television viewer to "bookmark"
information from the Internet that is related to a TV program or
advertisement (U.S. Patent No. 5,907,322). The "bookmarking"
technology, along with other elements of CatchTV's service, will be
incorporated into HyperTV(TM), ACTV's patented software solution for
the creation and delivery of TV-Internet convergence programming. Terms
of the transaction were not disclosed. The announcement was made by
William C. Samuels, chairman and chief executive officer, ACTV, Inc.
The "bookmarking" technology enables viewers to save addresses of Web
pages (URLs) that are related to TV programming, and view them BEFORE,
DURING or AFTER the TV program has aired. By incorporating these
capabilities into HyperTV, ACTV can offer TV networks, programmers and
advertisers the ability to more effectively extend their brands to the
Web and create new e-commerce revenue streams, without pulling viewer
"eyeballs" away from the TV programming. HyperTV enables TV networks,
programmers and advertisers to automatically deliver to consumers
compelling interactive Web content, Web-based advertising messages,
e-commerce, and community chat features that are synchronized to
correspond with a live or pre-recorded television program.
"We were looking for the best opportunity for bringing our technology
to the marketplace. We believe ACTV has put together a suite of
products and services, supported by an extensive intellectual property
portfolio, that strongly positions them to deliver the best solution,"
said David McGlade, president and chief executive officer, CatchTV. "By
combining the assets of CatchTV into HyperTV, television advertisers
will be able to maximize their ad dollars by targeting consumers with
the direct-response, one-to-one marketing capabilities of the Web,
while TV networks and programmers won't have to worry about Web efforts
diluting their audience."
Earlier this year, ACTV acquired U.S. Patent No. 5,761,606 (aka "The
Wolzien Process") from Wall Street media analyst Tom Wolzien. The
patent covers a proprietary process for allowing consumers to "pull"
information from the Internet that is synchronized to a specific video
program, audio program, commercial message or news story delivered via
broadcast television, cable, satellite or pre-recorded media. The
Wolzien Process was a key addition to ACTV's intellectual property
portfolio for HyperTV, helping to position the software as a leading
solution for TV/Web convergence.
"We're always pursuing ways to strengthen our market position through
cutting-edge technology. The 'bookmarking' capability developed by
CatchTV further differentiates HyperTV from any service available today
for TV/Web convergence programming," said Kevin Liga, chief technology
officer, ACTV, Inc. "CatchTV's technology makes HyperTV more
user-friendly, enabling a viewer to interact as much or as little as
they'd like with the complementary Web content, without feeling
pressured to immediately view the content, memorize URLs or launch an
extensive Web search during the TV program."
Yesterday, TBS Superstation announced that its "15 Days of 007" James
Bond movie festival, airing Nov. 27 - Dec. 11, will feature a brand new
on-line "Cyber Bond" component at TBSsuperstation.com, powered by
HyperTV. ACTV also recently announced an agreement with New Line
Television to enhance the pay-per-view airings of AUSTIN POWERS: THE
SPY WHO SHAGGED ME with a feature-length, interactive TV/Web
convergence experience utilizing HyperTV. New Line Television will back
the January 1, 2000 premiere of their blockbuster with the biggest
pay-per-view promotion ever. ACTV has also reached agreements to
enhance TV programming with HyperTV from The Box Music Network, part of
MTV Networks, and Showtime Networks, a wholly owned subsidiary of
Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA).
About HyperTV(TM) ACTV's patented HyperTV software solution provides
viewers with a richer interactive experience and allows them to become
part of a dynamic virtual community, while allowing programmers and
advertisers to extend their brand identity, access lucrative e-commerce
revenue streams, develop one-to-one relationships with viewers, and
differentiate their program offerings today. HyperTV also has a
database capability that allows TV networks, programmers and
advertisers to capture valuable permission-based marketing information.
According to a survey by Paul Kagan Associates and Showtime Networks,
nearly one in five U.S. households currently exhibits convergent
behavior, simultaneously viewing television and accessing the Internet,
representing more than 20 million convergent households in the U.S -- a
number that continues to rapidly increase.
The HyperTV software is a browser plug-in for newer versions of either
Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer, the most popular web
browsers. HyperTV is software-based, without hardware, chip or platform
dependency, and can operate on any of today's principal PC operating
systems. It is fully compatible with analog or digital television and
broadband delivery infrastructures.
As next generation digital set-top boxes, cable modems and other
consumer devices are deployed, viewers will be able to enjoy a HyperTV
experience with each of the elements -- video, audio, synchronized Web
content, Web-based ads, e-commerce and chat -- simultaneously delivered
directly to their television screen or to their desktop computer.
About ACTV, Inc. ACTV, Inc. (NASDAQ: IATV) has pioneered TV/Web
convergence programming with its patented HyperTV(TM) software
solution. The company is also a leader in interactive digital
television with its proprietary "Individualized Television" and
"Individualized Advertising" software and programming capabilities.
ACTV offers superior, practical solutions for television networks and
programmers, advertisers, cable operators, educators, students and
consumers looking to leverage the emergence of digital television and
the broadband delivery infrastructure.
ACTV has relationships with many of the dominant players in the
Internet, television and digital technology fields, including key
strategic investments from Liberty Digital, Inc. (NASDAQ: LDIG) and
General Instrument Corporation (NYSE: GIC). HyperTV Networks, Inc., and
ACTV Entertainment are subsidiaries of ACTV, Inc. 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.
Copyright (C) 1999 Business Wire. All rights reserved.
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CONTACT: Bratskeir & Company
Mike Rosen
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INTERNET
HARDWARE
COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS
TELEVISION/RADIO
MERGERS/ACQ
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