DIRECTVÆ, Wink And Thomson multimedia Commence National Launch Of DIRECTV INTERACTIVEô Television Service

25-Oct-00

DIRECTVÆ, Inc., Wink Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: WINK) and THOMSON multimedia (NYSE: TMS) announced the launch of DIRECTV INTERACTIVEô Powered by Wink. Continuing throughout October 2000, more than one million DIRECTV customers who own a Wink-capable RCAÆ DIRECTV receiver will receive a software download, bringing them free of charge the new DIRECTV INTERACTIVE Powered by Wink service - making this the largest interactive TV deployment in the United States. DIRECTV INTERACTIVE uses Wink's end-to-end system for interactive television, and allows customers to interact with the programs and commercials offered by the nation's leading programmers and advertisers. THOMSON multimedia - manufacturer and marketer of RCA consumer electronics products - was the first manufacturer of Wink-capable DIRECTV receiver systems and has been the primary manufacturer to market such receivers to retailers since late 1999. DIRECTV expects to have the DIRECTV INTERACTIVE Powered by Wink service operating in over five million DIRECTV customer homes by the end of 2001. ""Our partnerships with RCA and Wink underscore our support of new enhanced TV services and belief in the strong growth potential of mass-market interactive television. The ability to upgrade programming via satellite-transmitted enhancements to advanced digital receivers sets a new precedent for DIRECTV and adds an unprecedented new dimension to the customer's viewing experience"" said Larry Chapman, President, DIRECTV Global Digital Media, Inc. ""We believe our customers will respond very favorably to interactive television program and advertising enhancements. We're thrilled to be the first satellite television service to deliver such interactivity to our programming lineup on a national basis."" ""This nationwide launch really puts interactive television in the United States on the map. We applaud DIRECTV and THOMSON multimedia for their commitment and collaboration in preparing for today's introduction of service to DIRECTV customers,"" said Maggie Wilderotter, President and CEO of Wink Communications. ""We also appreciate the support of our national television network programming and advertising partners who provide the interactive content and e-commerce opportunities, which DIRECTV customers can now access and enjoy."" ""As the pioneering developer of the nation's first high-power direct broadcast satellite receiver system, we are excited to join DIRECTV and Wink in presenting to the consumer this significant step forward in the continuing evolution of digital home entertainment,"" said Thomson's David Spomer, Vice President, Broadband Digital Product Management. ""These new-generation RCA DIRECTV system units were designed not only to deliver today's most exciting satellite programming options but to serve as a flexible platform that easily accommodates future entertainment and interactive opportunities."" All DIRECTV customers who own an RCA-manufactured Wink-capable DIRECTV System receiver will receive a software upgrade/download transmitted through DIRECTV's satellite broadcast to their digital receiver, which will enable the activation of the DIRECTV INTERACTIVE service, delivered using Wink's technology. The Wink-enhanced interactive broadcasts are free of charge to DIRECTV customers and are available on more than 1,500 hours of programming. Thirty interactive broadcast channels are available, including dedicated DIRECTV interactive channels and a variety of broadcast and cable networks affiliates such as NBC, CBS, CNN, ESPN, The Weather Channel, E!, TBS, CNBC and more. Wink Enhanced Broadcastingô gives viewers a free and convenient way to interact with programs and advertisements while they continue to watch TV. Wink's technology solution enables programmers and advertisers to enhance TV with on-screen interactive data overlays related to the TV program, that appear as viewer-controlled text and graphics. When DIRECTV INTERACTIVE is available to a DIRECTV customer, a small symbol appears on the viewer's TV screen, indicating that the show or commercial is Wink enhanced. The viewer can choose to interact with the show or advertisements by using their remote control. DIRECTV INTERACTIVE Powered by Wink is free to the user, requiring no infrastructure upgrades or additional hardware in the home for viewers with Wink-capable digital satellite receivers. THOMSON multimedia is the first consumer electronics manufacturer to offer Wink-capable DIRECTV system units under the RCA brand name. Several additional consumer electronics manufacturers plan to offer Wink-capable DIRECTV receivers soon. For more information, visit www.directv.com, www.wink.com and www.thomson-multimedia.com.

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http://www.directv.com
http://www.wink.com
http://www.thomson-multimedia.com