General Instrument Corporation (NYSE: GIC) and Source Media (Nasdaq: SRCM) announced today their intent to enable the Interactive Channel's programming services via General Instrument's advanced analog and digital set-top terminals.

The Interactive Channel(SM), launched this fall, is delivering three new revenue streams to the cable operator -- interactive subscriptions, advertising and transactions. The Interactive Channel is compatible with all of today's cable systems. GI's advanced analog and digital set-top terminals will deliver the full range of proven Interactive Channel programming, seamlessly incorporating photographic images, sound and text at speeds up to hundreds of times faster than typical Internet data rates.

Interactive Channel programming includes intensely localized programming, ranging from an interactive television version of the local newspaper to the "School Zone," which provides parents with a daily update of their child's school day, including homework assignments in the teacher's voice. Other popular programming includes the "CD Sampler," with visuals of top artists and music samples, and an interactive cable TV programming guide, extensive on-demand news, weather and sports reports, multimedia shopping, interactive games, yellow pages and "Operator Assistance" for residential and business listings.

"GI and Source Media are enabling the multimedia services of the Interactive Channel with the advanced features of its Wink Engine(TM) on the GI CFT-2200 and DCT-1000 set-top terminals," said John Burke, Director of New Business Development for GI Communications Division. "The Interactive Channel will deliver full-color, photographic images and sound-true multimedia through our next-generation set-tops."

Source Media will also offer ChannelLink for fully interactive capabilities on every cable channel and AdLink, which provides on-demand multimedia information for any advertisement.

Source Media is a leader in the interactive programming and services industry. Source Media's Interactive Channel and interactive television browser and programming network, delivers a wide range of multimedia news, weather, sports, shopping and educational services on demand over today's cable systems.

General Instrument is a worldwide leader in developing technology, systems, and product solutions for the interactive delivery of video, voice, and data as well as in manufacturing and distributing discrete semiconductors.