CES: NBC Virtual DIRECTV Channel Launched at CES
Reprinted from a Hughes press release:
EL SEGUNDO, CA. - January 8, 2002 - DIRECTV , Inc., Wink Communications, Inc. and NBC announced today the launch of the NBC Virtual Channel, a new interactive channel only available on the DIRECTV service that offers viewers the latest news, business news and interactive commerce from MSNBC, CNBC and ShopNBC. The NBC Virtual Channel makes its debut under the name NBCi on DIRECTV channel 488 to customers with the DIRECTV INTERACTIVE Powered by Wink service.
The NBC Virtual Channel complements the DIRECTV INTERACTIVE(TM) platform as an integral source for breaking news and business news on demand. Viewers can access financial news and market data provided by CNBC, as well as minute-by-minute headlines and on-screen links to news about technology, business and health from MSNBC. There are also direct links to the viewer’s local NBC broadcast station (where available) and the MSNBC, CNBC and ShopNBC networks.
In addition, viewers can use their remote control to click on the channel’s commerce link to browse and purchase ShopNBC’s line of business electronic products such as computers, scanners and printers. Customers make purchases and complete transactions using a four-digit PIN which charges their registered credit card.
Starting in the first quarter of 2002, advertising opportunities will be made available on the NBC Virtual Channel to current and new NBC advertisers. These advertisements will be interactive in nature, enabling advertisers to generate qualified leads through their interactive ads.
The NBC Virtual Channel joins Barnes & Noble.com, Instant Weather by The Weather Channel, ESPN Today, and the DIRECTV INTERACTIVE Center as interactive virtual channels available to customers with the DIRECTV INTERACTIVE service on select Wink-enabled DIRECTV Receivers manufactured by Thomson, under the RCA brand, Samsung, Philips, HNS and Sony.
ShopNBC’s Enhanced Broadcast Technologies group created the NBC Virtual Channel using Wink technology and provides ongoing technical and content support through an agreement with NBC Digital Media.