AN AUSTRALIAN FIRST: WIN Television merges TV and the Internet

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The folks at ICE Interactive Limited sent in this news announcement:

AN AUSTRALIAN FIRST: WIN Television merges TV and the Internet

Sydney, Australia - 26-OCT-2000 - WIN Television today announced an Australian-first by launching a TV-friendly information channel (ichannel) utilising existing assets from its web portal winNET. WIN's ichannel has been purpose-built for participants in ICE Interactive's (ICE) pilot of interactive television (iTV) in Orange, NSW.

ICE has helped WIN to repurpose existing web content for the television environment, cost effectively leveraging WIN's existing internet resources. The WIN ichannel is integrated into the ICE iTV application platform being deployed in the Orange pilot.

WIN's ichannel allows pilot participants to quickly and easily access local Orange news, daily weather forecasts and local sports news while simultaneously watching free-to-air television. It provides links to the Orange City Council site and allows pilot participants to pay their council rates with a few clicks of the TV remote control. The ichannel also provides participants with quick and easy access to local directories such as airline timetables.

"Being able to check flight timetables and pay bills via the TV is a breakthrough for those pilot participants who were previously deterred from accessing the internet and electronic commerce because they feared the complexity of using a PC," said Mr Bruce Gordon, WIN's Chairman and Owner.

"WIN's ichannel is a compelling example of convergence. WIN is the first Australian broadcaster to integrate its broadcasting and internet assets, delivering interactive services and the internet via the television."

"Using the television to deliver interactive services overcomes traditional boundaries to consumer uptake such as perceived cost and complexity, and opens up exciting new business opportunities for WIN." Mr Gordon added.

"Pilot participants have an icon on their TV screens directly connecting them to local ichannel information services with a few clicks of their remote control. This makes navigation of winNET very simple, particularly for first time users of the internet."

"The response of pilot participants to the ichannel will be assessed, enabling WIN to further develop the site based on users learning and acceptance of it. Their acceptance and use of the ichannel will give us a glimpse of the future electronic channel to the home! These are exciting times we are involved in!" Mr Gordon said.

In welcoming WIN's ichannel launch, Mr Carl Braden, Managing Director of ICE Interactive stated "WIN's ichannel is a convergence milestone - it demonstrates how television can be used to bridge the digital divide by improving the access of regional Australians to the information economy. "

"This brings real benefits to regional Australians."

For further information please contact:

Vicki Tiegs
WIN Television Publicity
02 - 4223 4107 or 0419 - 294 494

Find Australia's largest regional television Network on the web at www.winnet.com.au

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