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biz.yahoo.com
Tuesday December 7, 9:05 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
BOX FUSION Launches December 31,
1999, Powered by HyperTV
The Box Music Network Announces Debut of First
Fully-Programmed TV/Web Convergence Service, Allowing Viewers To 'Tune
In, Log On and Take Off'
NEW YORK & MIAMI BEACH--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Dec. 7, 1999-- In January, All BOX
FUSION Participants Will Have A Chance
to Win 2000 Free Video Requests and an I-Mac Computer
in the ''BOX FUSION Sweepstakes''
The Box Music Network, an MTV Networks company, and HyperTV Networks, Inc., a subsidiary of
ACTV, Inc., today announced the launch of BOX FUSION.
Scheduled to debut December 31, 1999, BOX FUSION, powered by ACTV's patented HyperTV®
software, is a fully-programmed, interactive TV/Web convergence service. BOX FUSION
incorporates the interactive capabilities of ACTV's HyperTV software with The Box Music Network's
complete schedule of music television programming. BOX FUSION thereby expands on The Box's
existing interactive technology, available real-time through the Internet, allowing viewers to access a
local playlist and order a video for play on their TV.
The Box Music Network plans to launch an extensive multi-tiered marketing initiative to support BOX
FUSION, including a national promotion whereby one Grand Prize winner will receive an I-Mac
computer and free videos for the year. The campaign, which will feature the newly-created BOX
FUSION tag line, ''Tune In, Log On and Take Off,'' underscores the revolutionary nature of the new
TV/Web experience. BOX FUSION will partner with dozens of The Box's radio promotion partners to
generate buzz and awareness about BOX FUSION and the January sweepstakes.
To be a part of BOX FUSION, consumers need a television set with access to The Box Music
Network and a computer with an Internet connection located in the same room. According to a survey
by Paul Kagan Associates and Showtime Networks, nearly one in five U.S. households currently
exhibit convergent behavior, simultaneously viewing television and accessing the Internet. This
represents more than 20 million convergent households in the U.S. -- a number that continues to
rapidly increase.
To experience BOX FUSION, The Box viewers log-on to the network's website
(http://www.thebox.com), register, and download the free HyperTV plug-in. Viewers can then
automatically receive and interact with Web content synchronized to correspond to a music video or
other programming on The Box. Web content will include artist bios, liner notes, discography, concert
information, and interactive trivia questions. In addition, viewers can ''chat,'' in real-time, with other
members of the BOX FUSION online community. In January, BOX FUSION participants will be
automatically entered into the ''BOX FUSION Sweepstakes,'' which will award a Grand Prize of a
new I-Mac computer and 2000 free video requests from The Box. In addition, 2000 free video
requests will be divided equally amongst five (5) First Prize winners.
Since its inception, viewer commerce has been a core component of The Box's business, accounting
for almost half the company's revenue. With the launch of BOX FUSION, the network will have an
opportunity to extend its e-commerce activities to include online purchases of music, merchandise and
tickets, among other products. During commercial breaks, viewers will automatically receive
information from the manufacturer's website where they can, for example, learn more about a
product, download coupons, request brochures, and even ''bookmark'' the site for later exploration.
Alan McGlade, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Box Music Network, said: ''Our viewers
are passionate about music and anxious to get more involved with their favorite artists. We want to
offer a complete music experience on an ongoing basis, rather than an occasional TV/Web event. BOX
FUSION will provide a destination Box fans can count on for enhanced music content.''
Bruce Crowley, President of HyperTV Networks, said: ''The Box's viewers already interact with their
TV programming, and the audience is among the most desirable consumer demographics for
marketers. BOX FUSION will provide music lovers with a cutting-edge TV/Web community that
offers richer content, greater context and the ability to interact as much as they'd like. BOX FUSION
will also allow The Box's artists, record labels, advertisers and sponsors to better leverage the power
of the Web to create new revenue streams and build stronger brands.''
About The Box Music Network
The Box Music Network is television's only interactive 24-hour all music network. The Box
(http://www.thebox.com) presents the newest and most diverse selection of music on television
through the use of 150 digital file servers throughout the U.S. The network originates programming
uniquely tailored to each market it serves and provides viewers with an option to call in or go online to
request a video from a menu of up to 200 selections. Viewers can also simply watch the videos on
The Box free of charge.
About HyperTV®
The 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.
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.
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. |
