Wink Signs Agreement With Sony To Add Wink Enhanced Broadcasting To Sony's DIRECTVô Receivers

Wink Communications (NASDAQ: WINK) signed a multi- year strategic agreement with Sony Electronics to integrate Wink Enhanced Broadcasting technology into Sony's next-generation DIRECTVô receivers. Allan Thygesen, Executive Vice President, Sales and Business Development, Wink Communications, announced the agreement. Wink Enhanced Broadcastingô gives viewers a fast and convenient way to interact with television programs and commercials as they continue to watch TV. By clicking a remote control during an enhanced program or advertisement, viewers can access program-related information such as weather, sports updates, and trivia. In addition, they can request product sample coupons and other free offers from advertisers and make purchases instantly. ""Wink adds an exciting interactive element to the television viewing experience,"" said Pat Ruggieri, Director of Digital Media Marketing for Sony Electronics. ""Later this year, Sony will incorporate the Wink Enhanced Broadcasting feature into our next generation DIRECTV receivers, providing consumers with a new level of interaction with their television and the benefits of real-time transactions - all at the click of the remote control."" ""Sony Electronics is a leading worldwide manufacturer of state-of-the-art, quality consumer electronics products, and we are excited to offer Wink Enhanced Broadcasting and Wink's e-commerce capabilities via Sony digital receivers,"" said Allan Thygesen. ""Wink's robust e-commerce delivery system and interactive TV feature adds real value to satellite-delivered home entertainment as experienced with Sony digital receivers."" Wink Enhanced Broadcasting allows program networks and advertisers to enhance TV with interactive overlays relating to the television broadcast, which appear as supplemental text and graphics on the TV screen. When Wink is available to a television viewer, 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 commercial by using his or her existing remote control and can get video offers, product coupons and purchase products via TV. Wink is free to the user with a subscription to DIRECTV. Wink requires no infrastructure upgrades or additional hardware in the home. Wink differs from Internet access on television, in that it enhances and is broadcast with existing shows and commercials. About Sony ElectronicsHeadquartered in Park Ridge, New Jersey, Sony Electronics (SEL) has more than 26,000 employees in North America. SEL is the largest overseas operating unit of Sony Corporation, with annual sales of more than $10.6 billion. Sony Corporation is a leading manufacturer of audio, video, communications and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. Its music, pictures and computer entertainment operations make Sony one of the most comprehensive entertainment companies in the world. In the most recent fiscal year, Sony Corporation recorded consolidated annual sales of more than $56 billion. Product information can be found at www.sony.com. About Wink CommunicationsWink 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 for information about advertised products, participate in votes and polls, and play along with games and trivia tests. Wink capability is currently available to viewers in cable markets in California, Connecticut, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Tennessee and Texas. Wink Enhanced Broadcasting has been available in Japan since October 1996 and in the United States since June 1998. A complete list of industry leaders who have adopted the Wink technology and additional information regarding Wink Communications is available at www.wink.com.