Wink Signs Deal With Philips
ALAMEDA, Calif. and LAS VEGAS, July 19 /PRNewswire/ –
Wink Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: WINK), America’s leader in “one-click”
enhanced broadcasting and commerce on television, and Philips Electronics
(NYSE: PHG) announced today they have signed a multi-year agreement to
integrate Wink’s Enhanced Broadcasting technology into DIRECTV System
receivers manufactured and marketed by Philips.
Beginning later this summer, Philips manufactured DIRECTV System receivers
will include the Wink Enhanced Broadcasting capability. Wink-based
applications can then be activated in U.S. consumer homes at a future date to
be determined by DIRECTV and WINK.
Philips, a global leader in consumer electronics, is the fourth major
manufacturer to integrate Wink’s technology into its DIRECTV System receivers.
Today’s announcement was made at the Satellite Broadcasting and
Communications Association (SBCA) annual convention in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“Philips is committed to transforming the digital receiver into a
residential gateway for delivering the latest digital television services,”
said Bo Ferm, senior vice president of marketing, Philips Digital Networks.
“The addition of Wink Enhanced Broadcasting capability into our DIRECTV System
receivers is one example of Philips’ commitment to providing the latest
enhanced television services that add a whole new level of interaction and
entertainment value to consumers.”
“Today’s announcement with Philips marks further validation and momentum
for Wink in the satellite TV industry,” said Allan Thygesen, Wink’s executive
vice president of sales and business development. “Wink’s interactive
television technology and complete commerce-over-TV system has become the
satellite industry’s standard. We look forward to integrating our products
with the global leader in the consumer electronics business.”
Wink provides a complete system for delivering Enhanced Broadcasting and
collecting transactions generated by satellite TV viewers. With Wink,
networks, show producers and advertisers are enhancing TV programs and
commercials with interactive overlays of text and graphics relating to the
broadcast. When Wink is available on a show or in an advertisement, a small
symbol appears on the viewer’s TV screen, indicating that the show or ad is
Wink-enhanced. The viewer can choose to interact by using the remote control
to get enhanced information about the program, receive special offers, get
product coupons, or purchase products directly on TV. For example, while
watching NBC’s “Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” satellite TV viewers can get in
depth profiles on the show’s guests or purchase a CD of the featured band
using the remote control. In addition, Wink provides continuously available
bonus channels from America’s leading merchants for shopping, and channels
that provide full screen information in popular program categories such as
news, weather and sports. Wink is free to television viewers with a
subscription to DIRECTV(R) programming.