For more information, contact John I. Taylor, 847 391 8181, http://www.zenith.com. A complete list of industry leaders who have adopted the Wink technology and additional information regarding Wink Communications is available at http://www.wink.com.
Zenith, Wink Ink Agreement For Interactive Television
Zenith Electronics Corporation and Wink Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: WINK) have agreed to incorporate Wink Enhanced Broadcastingô technology into Zenithís multimedia TV line. The agreement was announced at CES 2000 by Ian Woods, Zenith President and CEO, and Maggie Wilderotter, President and CEO, Wink Communications. Under the agreement, Zenith plans to incorporate Wink Enhanced Broadcasting into its new multimedia television platform over the next three years. Zenith TVs equipped with Wink are planned in a variety of screen sizes, including 27-, 32-, and 36-inch multimedia models that include Telecruz TC701 integrated circuitry for advanced interactive services. ""Representing an important component of our digital strategy, our agreement with Wink creates new opportunities for Zenith TV owners to interact seamlessly and effortlessly with their television for an enhanced entertainment experience,"" said Woods. Wilderotter said, ""Zenith is one of the premier television brands in the United States, and their television platform offers an excellent opportunity to showcase Winkís interactivity. Wink is pleased to be partnering with another top U.S. television manufacturer."" Zenith TVs equipped with Wink Enhanced Broadcasting capability will give viewers a free and convenient way to interact with programs and advertisements while they continue to watch TV. By clicking their remote control during an enhanced program or advertisement, the viewer can access program-related information such as weather, sports updates, trivia and play along games, request product samples, coupons and other free offers from advertisers and make purchases instantly. Wink's technology enables programmers and advertisers to enhance TV with interactive overlays relating to the TV broadcast that appear as supplemental text and graphics on the TV screen. When Wink is available to a television viewer, a small symbol appears on the viewerís TV screen, indicating that the show or commercial is Wink enhanced. Viewers can choose to interact with the show or ad by using their existing remote control. A Zenith TV set incorporating the Wink system is being demonstrated for the first time at the 2000 International Consumer Electronics Show here this week. The 27-inch set - built around the FLATRONô true flat picture tube, advanced multimedia platform and the Telecruz chipset - provides onscreen Caller ID, electronic program guide, instant messaging, automatic source sensing and plug & play capabilities, in addition to Wink Enhanced Broadcasting. Wink's complete end-to-end system for enhanced television provides software to create and deliver the interactive enhancements, and collect and route viewer requests through the Wink Response Network. Wink differs from Internet access on television, in that it enhances existing programs and commercials. Wink has agreements in place with major cable and satellite operators, Microsoft, Liberate and manufacturers of consumer electronics equipment to distribute Winkís enhanced TV feature to viewers. About Zenith Based in Glenview, Illinois, Zenith is a long-time leader in electronic entertainment products and a primary developer of digital HDTV. Zenith completed its operational and financial restructuring last year, emerging in November 1999, as a wholly-owned subsidiary of LG Electronics, a global leader in electronics and digital technologies. Visit Zenith on the World Wide Web at www.zenith.com. About Wink Communications Inc. Wink Communications Inc. based in Alameda, California, provides a complete end-to-end system for low-cost electronic commerce on television. Wink Enhanced Broadcasting allows advertisers, merchants, and broadcast and cable networks the ability to create interactive enhancements to traditional television advertisements and programs. With a click of the remote control during an enhanced program or ad, viewers can use Wink to access program-related information, purchase or request information about advertised products, participate in votes and polls, and play along with games and trivia tests. Wink Enhanced Broadcasting has been available in Japan since October 1996 and in the United States since June 1998.