GMST--Gemstar-TV Guide International Announces Entry Into e-Publishing Business in France
Company Acquires 00h00.com, a Leading European eBook Publisher
PASADENA, Calif. & PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 15, 2000-- Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc. (Nasdaq:GMST - news) today announced its entry into the e-Publishing business in France through the acquisition of Les Editions 00h00 (00h00.com, pronounced ``Zero Hour''), the leading European on-line electronic publishing company located in Paris, and its holding company, Assam S.A. The acquisition is the latest step in Gemstar-TV Guide's plan to enter the electronic book business worldwide
Founded in Paris, France, in 1997, 00h00.com currently carries a list of over 600 titles. The company has licensing agreements from most of the major French publishing groups, including Havas, Hachette, Le Seuil, Gallimard and Flammarion. It also publishes a number of original works and sells both digital and paper formats of classics and current best sellers, primarily in the French language, from its web site. 00h00.com plans to become an online publisher in most European languages, and started a Portuguese language program earlier this year.
Since its inception, 00h00.com has been a leader in the field of digital reading by opening the digital rights market for e-publishing and constantly adapting its list to the new reading technologies. It was the first non-U.S. publisher to release eBook editions and has already published dozens of titles for use on the Gemstar eBook(TM) platform.
In March 2000, 00h00.com was the creator and sponsor of the ``ebook village'' pavilion at the Paris Book Fair, the first international event where a non-professional audience was introduced to the digital future of reading.
``We are pleased to welcome Les Editions Zero Hour into the Gemstar-TV Guide family of companies,'' said Henry C. Yuen, Chairman and CEO of Gemstar-TV Guide International Inc. ``00h00.com brings the necessary leadership position and innovation to make us a major participant in the new era of digital publishing in Europe.''
``00h00.com was the first online publisher, and we have been able to develop one of the biggest lists available online today for any reader worldwide. As a generalist, we have been the digital publisher of numerous front list titles originated by our partners, the traditional publishers, but we have also released original works from new talented authors. 00h00.com covers all genres, fiction and non-fiction, as well as areas such as professional guides or textbooks,'' declared Jean-Pierre Arbon, chairman and co-founder of 00h00.com.
``The Gemstar eBook(TM) platform is the best digital reading experience, and will enable publishers to receive secure additional revenues from their lists. We are thrilled to join what represents such a great future for the publishing industry,'' commented Bruno de Sa Moreira, chief operating officer and co-founder.
Gemstar-TV Guide International Inc. is a leading global technology and media company focused on consumer entertainment. The company has four major business sectors: the Technology and Licensing Sector, which is responsible for the development, licensing and protection of intellectual property and technology -- the company's technology includes the VCR Plus+® system, the interactive program guide (``IPG'') marketed under the GUIDE Plus+® and TV Guide® Interactive brands and the electronic book (``eBook''); the Interactive Platform Sector, which owns, operates and derives recurring income from advertising, interactive services, content sales and e-commerce on the company's proprietary IPG and eBook platforms; the Media and Services Sector, which operates the TV Guide® magazines, TV Guide® Channel, and other television media properties, as well as a media sales group that services all of the company's media platforms; and the Investments & Holdings Sector, which operates a variety of businesses including the startup Television Games Network.
The eBook is a reading device that can store tens of thousand of pages, and permits users to take instant delivery of any book, magazine or newspaper they purchase over the telephone. The IPG is built into televisions, VCRs or set top boxes (cable, satellite, telco, Internet) and presents a multi-day television program guide on the television screen from which the consumer can view, select, tune to or record programs.
The company's media properties reach more than 100 million U.S. homes on a weekly basis. The company's products and services are available in more than 50 countries worldwide.
The company's services, technology and intellectual property are licensed to major technology, media and communication companies in the consumer electronics, Internet, personal computer, satellite, cable television and telco industries. Licensees and customers include AOL, AT&T, Cablevision, Charter, Comcast, Cox, DIRECTV, Dish Network, Matsushita, Microsoft, Philips, Sony, Time Warner, Thomson multimedia, Zenith and others.
The company has more than 140 issued U.S. patents in the general area of audio-visual technologies with more than 3,000 claims, more than 150 issued foreign patents, and continues to actively pursue a worldwide intellectual property program and currently has more than 300 U.S. patent and more than 600 foreign patent applications pending.
Except for historical information contained here, the matters discussed in this news release contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including the timely availability and acceptance of new products; the impact of competitive products and pricing; the management of growth; and the other risks detailed from time to time in the company's SEC reports, including the report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2000. The financial results of TV Guide Inc. for the quarter ended June 30, 2000, is separately reported in its Form 10-Q.
Note to Editors: Gemstar eBook, Gemstar, GUIDE Plus+, VCR Plus+ and PlusCode are trademarks of Gemstar Development Corp. Other product names used herein are for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective companies. |
