Science & Technology

New Technology to Bring Printed Advertisements to iTV Users

PRNewsWire - June 11th, 2001

ACTV, Inc. (Nasdaq: IATV), a digital media company specializing in interactive television and enhanced media technologies, and Rachis Corporation, a leading interactive TV software solutions company, today announced plans to combine the printer component of the Rachis InterAct! software with ACTV's targeted advertising software, SpotOn. The resulting joint product, to be named SpotOn Print, will be marketed by both ACTV and Rachis. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Under the terms of the plan, Rachis intends to integrate the Rachis InterAct! Software, which streamlines the installation and use of peripheral devices for televisions, with ACTV's SpotOn, to create an enhanced advertising application for Network Operators. Network Operators who are deploying interactive television can offer advertisers a solution that combines instant access to print media as a supplement to targeted advertisement through SpotOn.

"Rachis has developed a product that, in combination with SpotOn, will help Network Operators benefit from the expanded targeted advertising opportunities that come with interactive TV," commented Kevin Liga, chief technology officer of ACTV. "We have chosen to provide value-added software for printers that will ultimately translate to more advertising-based revenue for the Network Operator and more convenience to consumers."

"Targeted advertising is viewed as one of the most exciting applications for digital, interactive television. Our InterAct! product extends the advertising model to a new generation of low-cost printers, residing in the consumer's home, right next to the television," said Jeff Bobzin, president of Rachis. "The union of ACTV's SpotOn proven targeted advertising solution and InterAct! creates a new avenue for Network Operators to increase advertising revenue."