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Television got personal today with the launch of NetChannel, the first Web-enhanced television service personalized to each viewer. The service is now available nationwide on the RCA Network Computer, with other consumers electronics partners to be announced.

"Television took on a whole new personality today -- yours," said Philip J. Monego, Sr., president and CEO of NetChannel. "As the Internet and television merge, NetChannel is the service that will make it easy for people to personalize both with the click of a remote. NetChannel is changing television by using the Internet at as a resource, not a destination."

NetChannel uses the Internet to deliver a personalized television experience for up to six individuals as well as a channel for the whole family. The NetChannel service features unique online programming from popular television sources, an Electronic Program Guide allowing seamless tuning to the Web and TV, password protected e-mail, complete access to the Internet and parental controls.

Your Personal Assistant for Better TV

NetChannel's unique personalization is made possible by Palo Alto-based Autonomy Inc., the personalized information delivery software that learns the viewers interests over time by identifying and understanding concepts in context - the same way the human brain does. Whereas competing Web television services use "push technology," which enables advertisers and others to force feed content to viewers, NetChannel works like a "personal assistant" directed by the television viewer -- not the advertiser or network programmer -- selecting the information, entertainment and services the viewer wants most.

NetChannel Offers Several Levels Of Personalization:

My Channel -- With NetChannel, viewers can build completely personalized Internet channels based on the information that is most important to them. Viewers direct Autonomy's "personal assistants," which "learn" viewer preferences and bring viewers the information they want from NetChannel's popular online programming partners. Additionally, with Smart Search, viewers can enhance their channels with information from the whole Web by applying their Autonomy agents to Yahoo!

Localization -- NetChannel is automatically localized by zip code; it provides localized weather and sports and, in the future, movies, restaurants, events and traffic.

Prioritization -- Viewers are able to prioritize the channels and subject matter that is important to them.

NetChannel Suggests -- Based on viewers' individual preferences, NetChannel automatically suggests topical information that may interest them.

Electronic Program Guide

The seamless integration of television and Internet programming is demonstrated for the first time by the Electronic Program Guide. Co-developed by NetChannel, RCA, GIST Communications and Spyglass, Inc., the Guide provides a comprehensive 48-hour listing of all local broadcast and cable programming. Because it's automatically downloaded every night, the Guide is ready to go as soon as the viewer turns on the set. NetChannel's interactive Guide differs from other Internet-based programming guides, which require viewers to dial up and go online to look up what's on TV. The Guide can also be personalized for as many a six different members of a household, plus a family channel.

Within the Guide, a viewer can read program descriptions, use the View button to tune to a show, or select Record to a VCR. A Related Stuff button presents the viewer with an assortment of relevant Web resources related to their favorite programs. For example, a fan of A&E TV's popular "Biography" can instantly go to the programs Web site to get more information about the show and its featured personalities.

NetChannel is Better TV, not PC

What sets NetChannel apart is its commitment to enhance TV, not replace it. NetChannel Studios work hand-in-hand with familiar, popular television programmers to create unique online programming that is optimized for television viewers and designed to add to the television viewing experience. For example, E! Online, NetChannel' s leading provider of entertainment programming, features a frequently updated adapted page showing entertainment news and gossip.

NetChannel Studios is constantly updating its Hot Topics, providing breaking news for the sports, entertainment, finance, news, lifestyle and learning channels, so NetChannel viewers always have the best of what's online.

As part of its launch, NetChannel announced partnerships with seven new online programmers, including Warner Brothers and Lifetime.

SurfWatch Feature

NetChannel allows parents to control what their children see on the Internet. Parents can use NetChannel's built-in SurfWatch control software to prevent children from viewing adult material on the Internet.

RCA Network Computer

NetChannel service is initially delivered on the RCA Network Computer, which is available at leading consumer electronics stores nationwide. NetChannel is ready to go right out of the box. There is no complicated software to install. Because the RCA Network Computer comes complete with a keyboard and printer port, there are no accessories or add-ons to buy. After connecting the RCA Network Computer to the television set, VCR and phone line, NetChannel subscribers simply complete on-screen registration to activate the service. NetChannel is available for $19.95 per month.

Open Platform Technology

The NetChannel service is built on an open technology platform, allowing it to operate with a wide variety of Internet technologies, Web browsers and consumer electronics devices. This open platform strategy ensures that programming partners and viewers will not be limited to a single operating system and set of products adhering to it. The result will be greater freedom of choice for programming partners and consumers. As NetChannel provides service to other platforms and as information delivery systems improve, NetChannel encourages viewers to migrate with its service using enhanced technology.

Customer Support

NetChannel service is designed for absolute ease of use. Navigation among its various components and features is intuitive. A Help button provides instant on-screen assistance whenever needed. NetChannel also provides a toll-free Customer Care number 1-888-NetChannel 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Retailers also have a toll-free number 1-888-689-3018 to call for assistance.

More 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. Thomson Consumer Electronics is the nation's leading manufacturer of color TVs and VCRs under the RCA, ProScan and GE brands. 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. NetChannel Europe, a wholly owned subsidiary of NetChannel Inc., is based in London. For more information please see NetChannel's Web site at http://www.netchannel.net. NetChannel is a trademark of NetChannel Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective companies.

Source: NetChannel