ACTV, Inc. Adds Digital Technology Pro; Frank Deo To Head Digital Technology as "Individualized Television" Becomes a Major New Form of Digital TV Programming
Business Wire - May 27, 1998 08:37
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 27, 1998--ACTV, Inc. (NASDAQ: IATV) today announced that Frank Deo has joined the company as Vice President, Digital Technology. In his new role, Mr. Deo will spearhead the development and implementation of ACTV's "individualized television" programming into current and future digital television platforms.
ACTV's "individualized television" programming offers cable operators a new revenue stream by providing compelling, differentiated digital television content -- driving penetration of the new platform -- and offering consumers a new way of watching television, rather than simply providing more of the same. ACTV's programming dramatically enhances the consumer's experience by allowing the viewer to actively participate. In addition to increasing the value of digital service for both cable operators and consumers, ACTV provides advertisers with an unmatched opportunity to deliver viewer-specific commercials. ACTV's proprietary software "learns" how the viewer responds, enabling the television to essentially talk back with custom, "individualized" content.
"Frank is one of the leading innovators and pioneers in the digital field," said David Alworth, Executive Vice President, ACTV Entertainment. "He has worked on some of the most important developments in digital television, including DirecTV and ACTV's 'individualized television' programming. Frank will drive ACTV's continued digital development, while helping to manage our company's ongoing relationship with The Sarnoff Corporation."
Previously, while with The Sarnoff Corporation, Mr. Deo played a lead role in the development of the DirecTV digital system. In addition, he directed the integration of ACTV's proprietary software, which enables the delivery of "individualized television" programming via the seamless splicing of MPEG streams, into the General Instrument digital platform.
"We all know that digital is the future of television. I believe that ACTV's 'individualized television' programming is one of the few truly core breakthroughs in digital television, as significant as HDTV," said Deo. "With ACTV, we can completely transform the way people watch TV. And it is compatible with all types of digital television -- cable, broadcast and satellite."
While ACTV can create a variety of differentiated digital television programming -- from "individualized" game shows to education to advertising -- it is being introduced with sports programming. For example, the individualization of basketball will include unique features like Jam Session - an on-demand recap of the game's most exciting baskets. Hockey coverage will feature Goals-On-Demand - a compilation of all of the goals scored during the game. Baseball coverage will include Hit Parade - all of the game's key hits available at the touch of a button. Other innovations, such as Star Cam - which provides an isolated view of the featured player of the game; Instant Replay - anytime, any play; and in-depth Stats, are all part of the enriched coverage which will be provided by ACTV's "individualized television" for all sporting events.
ACTV's first regional digital sports network will be introduced in Dallas, Texas in conjunction with FOX Sports Southwest and TeleCommunications, Inc.
ACTV and FOX Sports Net previously reached an agreement under which ACTV was granted the right to license programming from all of the FOX Sports Net regional services. FOX Sports Net is a service of "National Sports Partners," a joint venture between Cablevision's Rainbow Media Holding's, Inc. and FOX/Liberty Networks. Equally owned by Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc. and FOX/Liberty Networks, FOX Sports Net reaches more than 58 million homes.
Earlier this month, ACTV announced an agreement with Rainbow Sports, a division of Cablevision's Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc., to launch a regional digital sports network in San Francisco's Bay Area that will air FOX Sports Bay Area programming. In addition to San Francisco, Rainbow Sports manages FOX Sports Net regional networks in Chicago, New England, New York and Ohio.
The agreement with FOX Sports Bay Area brings the total potential reach of ACTV digital networks to approximately 22.5 million customers. ACTV, FOX Sports Net, and Rainbow Sports plan to roll out a number of additional digital regional networks over the next two years.
ACTV has also announced agreements with General Instrument Corporation which calls for ACTV's software to be available in all of General Instrument's current and future generations of digital set-top terminals. In addition, General Instrument has an equity position in ACTV, Inc.
ACTV, Inc. develops state-of-the-art programming for the emerging digital and internet platforms. ACTV, Inc. is headquartered in New York. The company's subsidiary, ACTV Entertainment, also has offices in Dallas. ACTV's Web site can be found at actv.com.
CONTACT: Mike Rosen
Bratskeir & Company
(for ACTV)
212-679-2233 |
