Thomson Multimedia Reaches Milestone With Shipment Of More Than 1 Million Color Televisions With On-Screen Electronic Program Guide
Consistent with its plans to make the television the interactive portal for home entertainment, Thomson multimedia (NYSE: TMS), the manufacturer and marketer of RCA and ProScan television receivers, has announced it has produced and shipped 1.3 million color television sets that incorporate the GemStar GUIDE Plus+ interactive electronic program guide (EPG). More than 50 current Thomson television models now include the no-fee electronic guide that features TV listings and other features. ""It is obvious that consumers agree with our strategy that electronic program guides are an integral part of the television viewing experience,"" stated James E. Meyer, Thomson Senior Executive Vice President and Americas Chief Operating Officer. \""Thomson has made a serious investment in guides and EPGs can be found in dozens of TV models. Todayís announcement that we have shipped more than 1 million TVs with an electronic program guide is a significant milestone, and weíll be expanding the number of sets with the on-screen GUIDE Plus+ EPG in the coming months,"" Meyer said. ""In fact, virtually all RCA and ProScan television products will include an electronic program guide in the year 2000, with televisions as small as 19-inches scheduled to have the ëno-feeí guide. By the conclusion of the International Consumer Electronics Show in January 2000, Thomson will have shipped 1.5 million RCA and ProScan television sets with the GUIDE Plus+ electronic program guide"", said Meyer. Thomson is a minority shareholder in GemStar, the leading supplier of electronic program guides. Thomson and GemStar also own most of an advertising-supported service that makes the on-screen guide available without monthly service fees for consumers. ""A key reason for the rapid success of the GUIDE Plus+ EPG is it makes it easier for viewers to watch TV,"" Meyer explained. ""With todayís hectic lifestyles, consumers are seeking ways to simplify their lives, even when they watch TV."" Earlier this year, Thomson conducted research with buyers of RCA and ProScan televisions equipped with GUIDE Plus+. Half of those surveyed said they use the guide every time they watch television. Many reported they plan to replace their paper program listing with the electronic version while one quarter had already switched. About Guide Plus +The GUIDE Plus+ format is a multi-color, three-dimensional grid guide with channel logos that make surfing even easier than before. With its easy point-and-select functionality, the GUIDE Plus+ system offers a consumer-friendly navigation system that assures enhanced enjoyment and puts the viewer in control of the on-screen guide. Other GUIDE Plus+ features include One-Button Record for hassle-free VCR time-shift recording and One-Touch Tuning for immediate access to desired programming. Another useful innovation is the ""schedule"" feature, which automatically turns the TV on when a show selected by the viewer is aired. The GUIDE Plus+ system also provides convenient sorting by theme of shows coming up over the next eight days - such as sports, movies, and childrenís programming - so viewers can easily find preferred programs. GUIDE Plus+ is a registered trademark of GemStar Development Corporation. About Thomson Multimedia With sales over $6 billion in 1998 and 48,000 employees in over 30 countries, Thomson multimedia (NYSE: TMS) is the fourth largest global supplier of consumer electronics products. The group has four main activities: Displays and Components, Consumer Products, New Media Services, Patents and Licensing. Within its activities Thomson multimedia develops, manufactures and sells television displays and components, consumer products such as televisions, VCRs, camcorders, audio and communications products, digital decoders, DVD players and professional video equipment. Visit Thomson Multimedia on the Web: http://www.thomson-multimedia.com.