PowerTV Announces Cost-Effective Internet Over TV Application Bundle

Subscribers Will Conveniently Launch and Navigate Between Surf, E-Mail, And Chat Applications From the Comfort of the Couch
April 3 -- Subscribers wishing to check e-mail while continuing to watch their favorite TV show or surfing the web will soon have an easy option for doing so, thanks to PowerTV. Leveraging the widespread deployment of the PowerTV operating system software and the Scientific-Atlanta Explorer and Pioneer Voyager set-top platforms, the Internet bundle will combine PowerTV's SofaSURF, SofaMAIL and SofaCHAT applications. The bundle application is available for commercial deployment in 3rd quarter 2001.

The cost-effective offering will enable cable operators to simultaneously rollout multiple applications, minimizing deployment costs while maximizing the interactive benefits to subscribers.

Additional bundle benefits will include:

• Operates on installed headend server infrastructure hardware -- available to set-tops via simple software download
• Supports "walled gardens" or full access to the Internet
• Versatile -- deploy entire suite or individual applications

The solution will leverage the advantages of PowerTV's open-platform HTML middleware engine and industry-leading operating system. The PowerTV software provides functionality to support multiple applications to execute concurrently on the subscriber's TV screen, in a similar way that multiple applications can be displayed and accessed on the PC. For example, a subscriber can be watching TV and will be able to check their e-mail and surf the web, or join a chat room- all via the remote control or wireless keyboard. "Consumers have shown a remarkable ability to multitask using entertainment and information services. PowerTV's new TV-centric services allow them to do this on the same screen," said Steve Necessary, CEO of PowerTV. "This new offering is an ideal vehicle for delivering the applications consumers want."

The applications will be supported by the PowerTV operating system, deployed in over six million households today, in Scientific-Atlanta's existing Explorer 2000 and 3000 series of digital interactive set-tops and Pioneer's Voyager 1000 set-top. The Internet Application Bundle will be available using future versions of the Explorer series such as the Explorer 8000, as well as on models offered by Pioneer New Media, Pace Micro Technology and Panasonic.

About PowerTV
PowerTV, Inc. (www.powertv.com ), Cupertino, Calif., is a leading developer of systems software solutions, applications and services for digital interactive cable television.

PowerTV, the PowerTV Operating System, SofaMAIL, and SofaCHAT are registered trademarks and SofaSURF is a trademark of PowerTV, Inc. in the United States and in other countries.

Explorer is a registered trademark of Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. All other names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE PowerTV
www.prnewswire.com