Gemstar Announces Alliance With Deutsche Telekom to Provide Interactive Program Guide Services in Germany
PASADENA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 14, 1998--Gemstar International Group Limited (NASDAQ:GMSTF - news) Monday announced that it has entered into an agreement with Deutsche Telekom AG [NYSE:DT - news] to cooperate in the development and provision of an interactive program guide (IPG) and related services to digital cable television households throughout Germany.
A letter of intent was exchanged under which the parties will jointly develop an interactive program guide service. The co-operation is focused on Germany and, in its initial phase, will include joint technology development, market research, pilot testing and user research.
''We are extremely pleased with having such a forward-looking and powerful partner as Deutsche Telekom for the introduction of Gemstar's interactive program guide technology to Europe,'' said Henry C. Yuen, chief executive officer of Gemstar. ''Our joint efforts will offer a better and new television experience to digital cable TV viewers in Germany,'' he continued. ''We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with one of the largest cable systems in the world.''
''In Gemstar, Deutsche Telekom has found a world renowned provider of navigation systems as its partner for the future development of digital applications for the cable platform. With regard to interactive program guides in particular, the combination of Gemstar's technical know-how with Deutsche Telekom's expertise as a neutral platform operator and service provider creates a perfect partnership,'' said Dr. Torsten Kreindl, Senior Executive Director, Broadband-Cable Services and Network of Deutsche Telekom.
Deutsche Telekom, with revenues of DM 67.6 billion in 1997, is Europe's largest telecommunications company and the third largest carrier worldwide. Offering a complete range of products and services in Germany, Deutsche Telekom operates the world's most strongly penetrated cable television network with more than 17 million homes connected.
Gemstar is a leading provider of interactive program guide services, technology and intellectual property. In North America, data for Gemstar's interactive program guide services are carried on the ABC, CBC, FOX, CBS, NBC, UPN and PBS networks and by more than 500 over-the-air broadcast stations and on a number of cable systems.
Gemstar's technology has been built into a number of models of new televisions, VCRs and TVCR combination units. Gemstar also licenses its technology or intellectual property to cable, telco, satellite and MMDS service providers. Gemstar guide technology is licensed to or integrated into direct broadcast satellite receivers, digital and advanced analog cable set-top boxes, PCTV and other Internet devices.
Gemstar's interactive program guide is available in JVC, Philips (Magnavox), RCA, Proscan, and Mitsubishi televisions in the United States and Canada. Gemstar's new Guide Plus+ Gold, which has improved user interface and functionality, launched last month by RCA and Proscan, is expected to be followed by other brands shortly. Gemstar has also launched its interactive program guide service in Japan and Taiwan.
The new Guide Plus+ Gold integrates the current television program seamlessly with the program guide in an integrated video window, so that the show being watched is never covered up. To record a show, or to reserve a future show for watching (when the show is aired, the television will automatically turn on and tune to the channel), the user simply needs to highlight the selected program and push one button.
The Guide Plus+ Gold service provides a full 48-hour interactive on-screen TV listing which can be sorted easily by category, such as movies, sports and children. The listing for the above categories can even be searched for up to 8 days in advance. One key advantage of Guide Plus+ Gold data service is that it has no set up charge or monthly charge.
Once the consumer purchases a Guide Plus+ Gold equipped television, VCR or TVCR, he or she will receive the program listing service free of charge.
Gemstar develops, markets, and licenses proprietary technologies and systems aimed at making technology user-friendly for consumers. Gemstar's VCR Plus+(R) instant programming system (known as ShowView(R) in Europe and VIDEO Plus+(R) in the UK) is a world standard for VCR programming. VCR Plus+ allows a user to record a television show simply by entering a number -- the PlusCode(R) number -- printed in television program guides.
The PlusCode numbers are published by more than 1,800 newspapers and television program guides worldwide, with a combined circulation of more than 330 million. The VCR Plus+ system has been licensed to virtually every major television and VCR manufacturer and is available in 40 countries and regions including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Continental Europe, Japan, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, South America and South Africa.
Gemstar's technology and intellectual property are licensed to major companies in the consumer electronics, satellite, cable and personal computer industries, including Aiwa, Akai, Cox Communications, Daewoo, Funai, GTE Communication Systems, Hitachi, Hughes Network Systems, JVC, LG Electronics (Goldstar), Matsushita (Panasonic and Quasar), MediaOne, Microsoft Corp. [Nasdaq:MSFT - news], Mitsubishi, Orion, Philips (Magnavox and Philips), Samsung, Sanyo, Scientific-Atlanta, Sharp, Shintom, Sony, Southern New England Telephone, Thomson Consumer Electronics (GE, Proscan, RCA), Time Warner, Toshiba, Uniden and Zenith.
Gemstar has more than 60 issued U.S. patents in the general area of audio-visual technologies with more than 1,000 claims and more than 70 foreign patents with more than 1,000 claims. The Company continues to pursue a worldwide patent prosecution program and has more than 130 pending U.S. patent applications and more than 160 pending foreign patent applications.
Except for historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this news release contain forward-looking statements which 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, 1998.
EDITORS: GUIDE Plus+, VCR Plus+, ShowView, Video 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.
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Contact:
Gemstar International Group Ltd., Pasadena
Sallie Manson, 626/792-5700
or
DSA Limited, London
Gill Garside, +44 171 833 5833
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