LAS VEGAS, NV (May 8, 2007) ­ ICTV, which enables actionable Web-driven media through television, announced today that brand-name programmers representing a variety of genres have initiated the development of ActiveVideo™ Channels that blend full viewer interaction and Web content into an engaging, high-quality video experience.

At The Cable Show May 7-9 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, traditional programming networks and broadband content providers ­ including AccuWeather, HSN, Reuters and others -- are showing content that capitalizes on the ability of ActiveVideo to provide a dynamic environment that combines the best features of the Web and television, enhanced with targeted, interactive advertising. 

Using their standard remote controls, viewers of ActiveVideo Channels can navigate through a wide variety of programming elements, and can interact with ads to learn more about products and complete transactions.  In addition, ActiveVideo allows programmers to create multi-platform experiences for users across television, PCs and ultimately mobile devices.

“Using all of the same assets that have made Reuters a respected name in newsgathering, we will be able to reach the wide audience of television viewers and provide higher-value inventory to our advertisers,” said Stephen Smyth, General Manager, Media, Americas, Reuters. 

ActiveVideo Channels are delivered via the ICTV® ActiveVideo Distribution Network.  ActiveVideo Channels allow network operators and programmers to provide an unlimited variety of content in a personalized experience that includes access to entire libraries of video, navigational elements, channel branding, targeted, interactive banner advertisements, and links to ad showcases.

“In retailing, an enhanced shopping experience results directly in increased sales,” said John McDevitt, vice president, finance and business development for HSN.  “ActiveVideo streamlines the home shopping process by allowing our customers to spend time examining our merchandise, to compare various models and styles, and ultimately to complete transactions simply by pressing buttons on their remote controls.”

ActiveVideo composites linear and on-demand programming with broadband content in the network into personalized MPEG video streams. Because content can be created and modified using standard Web tools and talent, network operators, programmers and advertisers can create content once for delivery via the ActiveVideo Distribution Network to every cable and IPTV set-top box, regardless of hardware, middleware and guide differences. Viewers can navigate through, and interact with, individual elements of the stream using key clicks of their remote controls. 

 “Consumers have learned to count on AccuWeather for immediate access to weather conditions at any particular time,” Jim Candor, AccuWeather’s Senior Vice President of New Media, said. “Our AccuWeather ActiveVideo Channel will allow us to take the information and targeted, interactive advertising opportunities that already have been created for the Web and bring them the larger audience of television viewers.”

ActiveVideo Channels are being demonstrated in the ICTV booth, #4671, at the National Cable and Telecommunications Association’s Cable Show through May 9 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.

About ICTV
ICTV® delivers ActiveVideo, a network-based platform enabling Web media to be universally distributed through television and other devices.  ActiveVideo engages viewers in a dynamic environment with high-quality video and targeted, interactive advertisements.  The platform uses standards-based distribution technologies allowing network operators, programmers and advertisers to extend Web workflows to new screens and provide a limitless array of personalized content that is enhanced with Web-driven interaction.  The company is based in the heart of Silicon Valley, with offices in Los Angeles, Baltimore and the United Kingdom.  For more information, visit www.ictv.com.