As part of its global strategy, NetChannel launched its personalized Web-enhanced television service today in the United Kingdom, becoming the first Internet television service in Europe.

"Europe's television revolution is starting today in the U.K. With NetChannel, consumers extend their television experience with information from the Internet, e-mail and online shopping, all with the click of their remote control," said Philip J. Monego, Sr., president and CEO of NetChannel.

NetChannel is the first Web-enhanced television service available to consumers in Europe -- an important point of differentiation between NetChannel and its U.S.-based competitors -- allowing NetChannel to introduce the Internet in a TV-centric, easy-to-use way to the majority of U.K. households which are not currently on-line.

"NetChannel uses the Internet as a resource to make television better, " added Monego. "No matter the continent in which it is delivered, NetChannel will enhance and expand television, not seek to replace it."

Similar to its U.S. service, NetChannel U.K. delivers top on-line programming in easy-to-read channels, including News, Sports, E-tainment, Learning, Lifestyles and Shopping; its personalized to each viewer, delivering localized programming and allowing viewers to create their own Internet channels; and features e-mail and chat.

NetChannel's consumer electronics partners include NetProducts, manufacturer of NetStation in the U.K. and Thomson Consumer Electronics, manufacturer of the RCA Network Computer in the U.S.. NetChannel will announce additional consumer electronics and platform partners in the near future.

NetChannel U.K.'s programming partners include Associated Newspapers, B&Q, Conde Nast and the Independent and United Newspapers, as well as : A&E, AboutWork, Amazon.com, Beatrice's Web Guide, Biography, CBS SportsLine, CDnow, CineWorld, Court TV, E! Online, FolksOnline, Garden Escape, golfcourse.com, GolfWeb , The History Channel, InfoSpace, Internet Shopping Network, iBIKE, iGOLF, iRACE, iSKI, InvestorsEdge, JamTV, Lifetime, Parent Soup, PC Flowers & Gifts, Places To Stay, Quicken Financial Network, Shoppers Express, Snowboarding Online, StarChefs, Ticketmaster, Travelocity, USA TODAY, Warner Bros. Online, The WeatherLab, WinterNet, Women's Wire, and Yahoo!

To ensure that NetChannel's programming is always topical and relevant to U.K. viewers, NetChannel has a editorial programming team based in London.

NetChannel U.K.'s service has been developed from the company's extensive market research and user trails. The research has shown that awareness and Interest in the Internet and e-mail are extraordinarily high in the U.K., with over 90 percent of the population showing knowledge of the Internet, but less than five percent having any experience with it.

Studies have also shown that the main barrier to mass market adoption of the Internet and e-mail in the U.K. is consumers' perception that personal computers are too complicated and expensive.

NetChannel U.K.'s service will be available for 14.95 pounds per month for unlimited Internet access and five e-mail accounts. The NetStation is available for 299.99 pounds at retail locations throughout the U.K. including Harrods, Dixons, Currys Stores, Tempo, Scottish Power Sound & Vision and other leading independent retailers.

NetChannel will soon announce partnerships with cable and digital TV operators. The service can be tailor-fit to all television delivery mechanisms including cable, satellite and terrestrial.

About NetChannel

NetChannel's award-winning service personalizes, enhances and expands the television experience for consumers by using the Internet as a resource to deliver programming, communications and commerce. In July 1997, NetChannel was honored by the Interactive Services Association with an ICEY Award for Innovation in Interactive Television. NetChannel is the service provider for Thomson Consumer Electronics' new consumer Internet access device, the network computer.

NetChannel is a strategic partner of Network Computer, Inc., (NCI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Oracle. NetChannel supports open platforms, offering choice to content partners, hardware partners and, ultimately, to consumers. Founded in 1996, the company employs a staff of 125, with offices in South San Francisco, Atlanta and London.

Source: Netchannel, Inc.