NetChannel Inc., the first Television Service Provider (TVSP) delivering a personalized Internet and information service for television viewers, Monday announced the completion of its acquisition of ViewCall America Inc., developer of a similar personal Internet TV channel called ON-TV.

The new service offering will be called NetChannel.

NetChannel has acquired substantially all assets of ViewCall America. The combined assets behind the new NetChannel service integrate NetChannel's strength in on-line community building and personalization with ViewCall's proven ability to deliver real-time information on multiple platforms.

"NetChannel now has the one, two punch needed to drive a successful consumer launch: the best manufacturing partners, led first by the Thomson family of consumer electronic companies; and ViewCall's demonstrated ability to deliver real-time information. This, combined with NetChannel's personal delivery system, will set the standard for future TVSPs," said Philip Monego, NetChannel president and chief executive officer.

The company's management team will be led by Monego. Senior personnel joining NetChannel from ViewCall America include:

Alan McKeon, former president and CEO of ViewCall America, will join NetChannel in an advisory capacity to facilitate joint ventures and international business development;

Philip Facchina, former executive vice president of ViewCall America, has been named executive vice president of NetChannel responsible for business development and corporate support;

John Stuckey, former vice president, marketing with ViewCall America, has been named vice president, marketing for NetChannel responsible for all aspects of marketing; and

Carlos Silva, former vice president, studio with ViewCall America, has been named vice president, NetChannel studio responsible for the daily production of the NetChannel service.

The company will have headquarters in South San Francisco with NetChannel studios, engineering and operations offices in Atlanta.

About The Companies

NetChannel, the first Television Service Provider, is committed to expanding and enhancing the television experience by using the power of the Internet to bring consumers personally relevant information and entertainment. NetChannel will be the exclusive service provider for Thomson Consumer Electronics' new consumer Internet access devices.

Thomson Consumer Electronics is the nation's leading manufacturer of color TVs and VCRs under the RCA, ProScan and GE brands. NetChannel is working closely with Network Computer Inc. (NCI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Oracle, to extend the benefits of the NCI network computer architecture into the consumer marketplace.

NetChannel supports an "open platform" philosophy which offers choice to content partners, hardware partners and ultimately, to consumers.

NetChannel, with headquarters in South San Francisco, was founded by a seasoned group of leaders from the communications and consumer electronics industries, including: David Atkinson, formerly vice president of interactive multi-media at AT&T West Coast venture operations; Herman Hauser, co-founder of Acorn Computers Limited; Philip Monego, Sr., Internet veteran and one-time president and CEO of Yahoo! Corp.; and Steven Rand, 25-year consumer electronics industry leader.

Founded in 1996, the company employs a staff of 85 with offices in South San Francisco, Atlanta and London. NetChannel Europe, a wholly owned subsidiary of NetChannel Inc., is based in London.