Tribune Ventures Boosts Investment In Replay Networks
Tribune Ventures, the strategic investment unit of Tribune Company (NYSE:TRB), has increased its investment in Replay Networks Inc., a Mountain View, California-based developer of personalized television viewing technologies. Tribune's first investment in Replay Networks was completed in March. Terms of both transactions were not disclosed. The investment marks the extension of Tribune Ventures' holdings in digital television. Replay Networks' market-leading products include ReplayTVô, a set-top device that automatically records and stores television shows for on-demand viewing, and the Replay Network Service, a television portal where viewers can access programming. ""As one of the largest television station owners in the U.S., Tribune is very interested in how storage technologies will influence the business of digital television,"" said Lisa Wiersma, Tribune Director/Development. ""Replay has an exciting technology and network service that will give viewers more control in how they interact with television. Tribune's objective with this investment and with our other digital-television activities is to be involved early in the many different efforts that will define the industry's direction."" Tribune Media Services (TMS), which provides entertainment listings and syndicates news and information for print and electronic media, currently supplies television listings data to the service. TMS' data is key to Replay, as it allows viewers to program the service to store their favorite television shows and watch programs on demand. ""We believe this strategic link between our two companies is the foundation for other areas of cooperation in building Replay's business,"" Wiersma said. About Replay Networks Replay Networks Inc. is the leader in personal television technologies with more than 120 patent claims, the ReplayTVô platform and the Replay Network Service. ReplayTVô received ""Best of Show"" honors at the 1999 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Replay Networks recently was named one of Upside Magazine's Hot 100 Companies for 1999. For more information about Replay Networks, visit http://www.replaytv.com or phone toll free at 800 266 1301. About Tribune Ventures Tribune (NYSE: TRB) is a leading media company with operations in television and radio broadcasting, publishing, education and interactive ventures. Tribune Ventures was formed in 1995 to invest in and partner with new-media and technology businesses. These partnerships build knowledge and experience that support Tribune's interactive businesses. Tribune's other equity partnerships include America Online, Excite, Food.com, Home Shark, iVillage, Lightspan, Peapod, Pseudo Programs and SuperMarkets Online. More information on Tribune Ventures is available at http://www.tribune.com/ventures.