DIRECTV And Wink Communications To Deliver Enhanced BroadcastingôNation's Leading Satellite TV Provider Announces Introduction Of National Interactive TV Service

DirecTV, Inc., provider of the nationís leading digital television service, and Wink Communications, Inc. have announced an agreement that will change the way DirecTV customers in the United States watch television. Later this year, DirecTV will launch Wink Enhanced Broadcastingô to new advanced digital DirecTV System receivers developed by DirecTV-licensed consumer electronic manufacturers. Customers will receive high-resolution interactive enhanced broadcasts free of charge on many of the more than 210 channels distributed by DirecTV and USSB, as well as on DirecTV-specific programming and promotions. In addition, consumers will have access to Wink-enabled ""virtual channels"" which include full screen graphics and text used to deliver information, entertainment and electronic shopping services. ""Over the past four years, DirecTV has changed the way American households watch TV,"" said Lany Chapman, Executive Vice President of DirecTV. ""With the introduction of Winkís Enhanced Broadcasting, we will once again change television viewing in homes across America. The Wink technology allows us to expand the capabilities of the DirecTV service by adding enhancements to existing video programming and advertisements, as well as introducing new interactive services to consumers.""""Wink Communications is pleased to bring innovative interactive services to DirecTV customers,"" remarked CEO and President Maggie Wilderotter. ""Through our collaboration with DirecTV - the leading digital satellite TV service - millions of Americans will soon have access to the enhanced viewing capabilities provided by Wink Enhanced Broadcasting and Wink E-Commercialsô. We applaud DirecTVís vision and innovative spirit.""Wink Enhanced Broadcasting And E-Commercial Technology Wink Communications offers a simple-to-use, low-cost enhanced television broadcasting system, Wink Enhanced Broadcasting, that adds program-synchronous interactivity to traditional television programming and advertising. In addition, Wink provides authoring tools to broadcasters for the creation of informational channels that complement their regular broadcasts. The agreement between Wink and DirecTV and, by extension, the broadcast and cable networks providing Wink-enhanced programming and advertising, allows program-related data enhancements to be delivered to DirecTV subscribers. DirecTV subscribers who purchase a new Wink-capable DirecTV System will, according to the company, be able to receive interactive services such as companion data for sports, documentaries and other programs; contests, polls, and other interactive activities; and upcoming program promotions. The Wink technology is designed for ease-of-use in a TV-centric environment. To access a Wink enhancement, a television viewer simply clicks the remote control of a Wink-enabled DirecTV System when the Wink symbol appears on the screen. The viewer can navigate program enhancement options with the use of arrow keys on the remote control. Wink E-Commerce, according to the company, provides endless opportunities for advertisers to create interactive television commercials. In addition to viewing interactive program enhancements, viewers will be able - while viewing regular television commercials - to order a brochure, coupon or product with a remote click instead of dialing a toll-free telephone number. Current providers of Wink E-Commercials include AT&T, Levi-Strauss & Co., and General Electric. Viewers watching CNN, ESPN, The Weather Channel and other networks can respond to these interactive programs to request additional information, such as local weather forecasts and sports scores via their remote control. The new set-top boxes employed by DirecTV and equipped with Wink technology will use advanced graphics features and DirecTV satellite bandwidth to deliver Wink-enabled broadcast enhancements. First National Launch Of Wink interactive Services The national deployment of Wink Enhanced Broadcasting through DirecTV represents the first national launch of Wink technology for the Alameda, California-based company. Wink-enabled set-tops, expected to be available beginning the second quarter of this year, will receive a ""broadcast software upgrade"" transmitted through DirecTVís satellite signal, enabling activation of the Wink interactive services. This same upgrade process will be used to add new Wink services to Wink-enabled set-tops in the field, as they become available. Consumers will have the opportunity to purchase Wink-enhanced DirecTV Systems at more than 26,000 consumer electronics retailers nationwide. Announcements regarding the availability of specific manufacturer set-top models will be made as release dates are finalized. Wink Communications, according to the company, provides an end-to-end system for enhanced television services, and E-commerce transaction capture and routing services. Wink has formed strategic relationships with a number of programming networks such as CNBC, CNN, CNN Headline News, Court TV, E! Entertainment Television, ESPN, ESPN2, HBO, Lifetime, NBC, Nickelodeon/Nick at Nite, Showtime, TBS, The Nashville Network, The Weather Channel, TNT and VH1 for the development and airing of Wink-enhanced programming. Wink also has formed strategic relationships with a number of television and set-top terminal manufacturers and cable operators including General Instrument, Matsushita, Pioneer, Scientific-Atlanta and Toshiba and Time Warner Cable, Century Communications, Charter Communications, InterMedia, and Jones Intercable. Wink Enhanced Broadcasting has been deployed in Japan since October 1996, and has been deployed in the United States since June 1998 on an InterMedia Partners cable system. Additional information regarding Wink Communications can be obtained at www.wink.com.For more information on DirecTV visit www.DIRECTV.com. Or contact Gina Scalise of DirecTV at 310 726 4654 at DirecTV Inc. or Michael Baehr of Wink Communications, Inc. at 510 337 6315.