ICTV Launches ActiveVideo Service Delivering Web Media Experience to Television

ICTV Launches ActiveVideo Service Delivering Web Media Experience to Television

Broadband Provider Grande Communications(R) Signs On; Initial Programming Includes New AccuWeather and Reuters Channels

LOS GATOS, Calif., May 8 /PRNewswire/ -- A seamless combination of Web media, viewer interactivity and high-quality video delivered through the television is now available for the first time with the live deployment of ICTV's ActiveVideo programming and the P:Mosaic navigational mosaic to an initial base of subscribers.

The ActiveVideo service, called ActiveVideo Distribution Network (AVDN), blends an engaging, interactive viewer experience with uncompromising video quality and responsiveness to create a dynamic environment that combines the best features of Web and television media. With ActiveVideo, Web-driven channels such as AccuWeather and Reuters are delivered through television as a single programming stream enhanced with targeted, interactive advertising. Another ActiveVideo Channel, the intuitive, customizable P:Mosaic, allows viewers to personalize navigation and select programming for viewing across linear and ActiveVideo channels using their remote controls.

Grande Communications Networks, Inc., a competitive broadband service provider in six major markets in Texas, is the first cable system operator to launch ActiveVideo programming through its GrandeVision(TM) service. Grande's initial launch of this service will be in San Marcos, Texas.

"GrandeVision(TM) will provide our bundled service customers with a set of interactive and personalized options that is unparalleled in our markets," said Grande CEO Roy Chestnut. "This service will be a significant value add and will open a whole new realm of cable and Web possibilities for our customers."

The GrandeVision(TM) service is delivered through the P:Mosaic, which was designed by the ICTV ActiveMedia Group (see companion release) to be customized and branded exclusively for individual network operators. P:Mosaic allows subscribers for the first time to build personalized menus from many available channels according to individual preferences, manage preferences from Web-connected devices, view and preview television channels simultaneously and interact with targeted, auditable and actionable advertising.

Through the GrandeVision(TM) service, individual viewers in a household can create a personalized tab of a dozen or more favorite channels, with up to five simultaneous live video feeds displayed at any one time. Viewers can navigate through feeds, add or delete mosaic channels and ultimately will be able to interact with Web-driven video and banner ads by using key clicks on their standard remote controls. Grande initially will make 20 channels available for mosaic navigation.

"The ability to bring 'clickable' video directly to the television creates the opportunity for an entirely new way for network operators, programmers and advertisers to engage viewers," said Jeff Miller, president and CEO of ICTV. "ActiveVideo fulfills the need for an elegant solution that enables cable and IPTV to use managed networks to bring the power of Web media directly to television, with quality that is superior to best-efforts, 'over the top' services and without the need for complex PC-to-TV integration."

ActiveVideo Channels allow network operators and programmers to provide an unlimited variety of content in a personalized experience that includes access to entire libraries of video, navigational elements, channel branding, targeted, interactive banner advertisements and ad showcases. P:Mosaic, the multichannel industry's first customizable, personalized video-rich navigation system, provides easy- to-use navigation, allowing subscribers to view live video from and navigate through a number of channels at a single glance.

"Using all of the same assets that have made Reuters a respected name in newsgathering, we will be able to reach the wide audience of television viewers and provide higher-value inventory to our advertisers," said Stephen Smyth, General Manager, Media, Americas, Reuters.

ActiveVideo composites linear and on-demand programming with broadband content in the network into personalized MPEG video streams. Because content can be created and modified using standard Web tools and talent, network operators, programmers and advertisers can create content once for delivery via the ActiveVideo Distribution Network to every cable and IPTV set-top box, regardless of hardware, middleware and guide differences. Viewers can navigate through, and interact with, individual elements of the stream using key clicks on their remote controls.

ICTV is demonstrating ActiveVideo in its booth, #4671, at the National Cable and Telecommunications Association's Cable Show through May 9 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.

About Grande Communications(R)

Headquartered in San Marcos, Grande Communications Networks, Inc. (www.grandecom.com) is building a deep-fiber broadband network to homes and businesses from the ground up. Grande delivers high-speed Internet, local and long-distance telephone and digital cable services over its own advanced network to communities in Texas. Grande's bundled service area includes portions of Austin, Corpus Christi, suburban northwest Dallas, Midland, Odessa, San Antonio, San Marcos and Waco. Grande also leverages its telephony and data infrastructure by serving enterprises and communications carriers nationwide with broadband transport services and network services. Grande's voice network terminates traffic worldwide, offering both traditional and IP-based services; its managed modem network provides coverage nationwide; and its private line and metropolitan networks provide optical services in Texas and surrounding states. Grande's 3,100-fiber-mile network incorporates SONET-based technology for protection, diversity and optimal performance.

About ICTV

ICTV(R) delivers ActiveVideo, a network-based platform enabling Web media to be universally distributed through television and other devices. ActiveVideo engages viewers in a dynamic environment with high-quality video and targeted, interactive advertisements. The platform uses standards-based distribution technologies allowing network operators, programmers and advertisers to extend Web workflows to new screens and provide a limitless array of personalized content that is enhanced with Web-driven interaction. The company is based in the heart of Silicon Valley, with offices in Los Angeles, Baltimore and the United Kingdom. Strategic investors include Liberty Media, Motorola, OpenTV and Lauder Partners. For more information, visit www.ictv.com.

Source: ICTV

CONTACT: Paul Schneider of PSPR, Inc. for ICTV, +1-215-702-9784
(Office), +1-215-817-4384 (mobile), pspr@att.net

Web site:

http://www.ictv.com/
http://www.grandecom.com/

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