NetChannel Inc., the first Television Service Provider (TVSP) delivering a personalized Internet and information service for the television, Monday announced its first round of strategic partnerships with a range of programming partners to deliver personally relevant entertainment, information and services to enhance the TV experience.

So that viewers can stay in touch with what's on TV and related Web content, NetChannel will provide a unique Electronic Programming Guide co-developed with Thomson Consumer Electronics and GIST Communications. The Electronic Programming Guide, with a single remote control device, will provide immediate access to local TV listings and allow viewers to personalize their local listings.

Viewers will be able to tune directly to their favorite programs, set their VCR and switch easily to Internet programming related to their TV shows.

"The Electronic Program Guide is central to our strategy to extending the television viewing experience with personally relevant information from the Web," said Philip Monego Sr., president and CEO. "It will connect television programming and the Internet in a practical way by guiding the NetChannel viewer to more information on the television shows and topics that they care about most."

From news to personal services, NetChannel's first round of content partners will offer viewers a range of new ways to enhance their TV experience, including:

--top cable networks including A&E, Court TV and the History Channel to extend entertainment programming

--USA Today, for breaking news from the nation's leading news source

--personal finance information from Quicken Financial Network

--special interest programming from Wire Networks with Women's Wire, Beatrice's Web Guide and Healthy Ideas

--StarChefs, for cooking enthusiasts

--home shoppers can access top on-line shopping venues including CDNow, ISN (Internet Shopping Network) and Shoppers Express

--community for like-minded individuals at iVillage's Parent Soup, Parent's Place, About Work and Vice and Virtues

--Happy Puppy for gaming enthusiasts

"By delivering progamming that complements the TV experience such as sports, entertainment, shopping and finance, we create a compelling environment for viewers around the TV and their personal interests," said Dave Atkinson, co-founder and chairman.

"For NetChannel, the Internet is not a destination, but a resource for delivering personalized programming for our viewers. We truly are the first true television service provider, or TVSP, since we provide far more than Web surfing and access to the Internet."

For Web explorers, NetChannel will feature Yahoo!, the leading guide to the Web. InfoSpace -- the ultimate resource for Yellow Pages and other directories, and Surfwatch, to ensure a safe and controlled environment for family Web surfing -- will also be featured.

Additional programming and content providers will be announced in the coming weeks. With compelling strategic partners, NetChannel will seamlessly present programming and information to the TV audience, enabling them to flow in and out of TV programs and Web-based information and communities.

NetChannel also gives viewers full Internet access and e-mail. NetChannel will be available in stores this summer. NetChannel will be priced competitively with other Internet servies.

About NetChannel Inc.

NetChannel 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 multimedia at AT&T West Coast venture operations; Herman Hauser, co-founder of Acorn Computers Ltd.; 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.