Replay Networks Announces Panasonic To Market ReplayTV
A major chapter in the history of personal television has been written as Replay Networks Inc., the company that guarantees viewers will never miss their favorite TV shows, announced that Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. (MEI) one of the worldís largest producers of consumer electronics products will, through its subsidiary Matsushita Kotobuki Electronics Industries, Ltd. (MKE), begin manufacturing a version of the revolutionary ReplayTV digital-recording device that will be sold in the United States under the Panasonic brand. Under terms of an agreement announced, Replay Networks, the category leader and first to market with its own award-winning, revolutionary personal television system, will license ReplayTV technology to Matsushita Kotobuki Electronics Industries, Ltd. ""This development significantly broadens distribution channels and, as a result, greatly widens the audience for the Replay Network Service,"" said Anthony Wood, founder and CEO of Replay Networks. ""Weíre excited to be working closely with a company like Panasonic, whose proven marketing and distribution expertise can help ensure that personal television becomes a viable consumer product category."" Personalized ""Replay Channels"" With the ReplayTV set-top box and free Replay Network Service, viewers can easily create personalized, on-demand ""Replay Channels."" These channels can feature viewersí favorite shows, themes or actors so they can watch what they want, when they want. For example, viewers can create an ""ER,"" ""Julia Roberts"" or ""golf"" channels. ReplayTV also lets consumers control live television. With ReplayTV, viewers can pause, rewind and then fast forward through shows. When the telephone rings during a favorite live television show, viewers can hit pause, take the call and resume watching the rest of the program anytime without missing a scene. ""This new product represents just one more part of Panasonicís digital equation,"" said Panasonic Consumer Electronics Co. President Don Iwatani. ""We are extremely happy to add the ReplayTV features and technology to our growing family of consumer-friendly digital products."" Specific Panasonic models and features have not been announced, but models will vary based on the amount of recording time available. The new devices are expected to be available for the 1999 holiday selling season. Manufacturerís suggested retail price has not been determined. Replay Network Service Is Key ""The Replay Network Service is a key component to our business and empowers our subscribers to have total control over their televisions,"" Wood said. The Replay Network Service is delivered to the set-top device using a standard telephone line [ala Divx]. ReplayTV automatically and silently calls a toll-free local number during off-hours to access the service and download updates of local broadcast information and other programming information. The free Replay Network Service also automatically sets ReplayTVís internal clock and provides periodic software updates to allow in-the-field upgrades. The service will also provide access to ""Replay Zones"" from content partners such as E! Entertainment, Showtime, The Movie Channel and others. When subscribers select these zones, the Replay Network Service will find content and create personal channels based on the viewerís interests. Subscribers can then enjoy movies, shows, special events and previews when they want. They will also be able to view behind-the-scenes specials and celebrity interviews broadcast for the Replay Zones. All this is part of the free Replay Network Service. Like Browser For TV The Replay Network Service has been likened to a browser for television. But unlike computer-television convergence schemes, Replay Networks is easy to use and requires no computer or technical knowledge from subscribers. For more information, visit the Replay Networks home page at http://www.replaytv.com or call toll free at 800 266 1301.