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INTERTAINER UNVEILS WORLD'S FIRST INTERACTIVE
BROADBAND SERVICE FOR ON-DEMAND DELIVERY OF FULL MOTION VIDEO-BASED
ENTERTAINMENT
Intel, Comcast Invest in Intertainer
NEW YORK and SANTA MONICA, Calif. (Feb. 11, 1998) - Intertainer,
Inc. today unveiled the world's first interactive broadband service for
on-demand delivery of high quality, full-motion, video-based
entertainment programming and consumer-based shopping to the
television or personal computer. Intertainer also announced that both
Intel Corporation and Comcast Corporation have invested in the
company. The "Intertainer" service is currently in beta testing in two
locations.
Created by a team of experienced entertainment and technology
professionals, Intertainer offers consumers the unique ability to
choose music, movies, television, fashion, books and video games,
delivered on-demand in full-motion, full-screen video to a computer or
television. Intertainer subscribers need only a multimedia-capable PC
and access to one of the emerging broadband platforms, including
cable modems and Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Lines (ADSL).
Intelligent agenting software will act as a "personal assistant" for
Intertainer users by learning a user's preferences and recommending
selections. For the first time, users can build their own world of
entertainment.
"We're meeting the convergence of the television, computer and
entertainment markets with a new content distribution approach," said
Richard Baskin, co-chairman of Intertainer and an award-winning
producer, composer and executive in Hollywood for more than 20
years. "With our company's unusual blend of entertainment and
technical expertise, we believe Intertainer is uniquely positioned to
bring this Java-based entertainment service to the commercial
market."
Intertainer has assembled its technical team from technology leaders
such as Sybase, Informix, Pacific Telesis Labs and Apple Computer.
On the entertainment side, the company principals have significant
relationships with all of the major suppliers of film and music product.
They also have extensive experience in creating and producing
entertainment content for the world's major film, television, music and
interactive companies.
Intel and Comcast each has made an investment in the company, and
each has committed to various aspects of the product's technological
development and commercialization. Intel will help Intertainer deliver its
technology to set-top computers, optimize its service for Intel
Architecture-based servers and help incorporate high-quality
videoconferencing. Comcast is working with Intertainer on broadband
PC and set-top box applications and may provide programming from
its E! Entertainment Television network for the trial.
"The mission of the company is to embody the convergence of the
television, and the personal computer...of Hollywood and Silicon
Valley," said Jonathan Taplin, co-chairman, Intertainer and a 20-year
veteran producer and executive in all aspects of the entertainment
business. "Through the strength of our relationships in the
entertainment industry and our cutting-edge technology, we can deliver
rich and varied content in a visually compelling and easy-to-use
manner," he said.
"Large-screen multimedia PC systems and Internet services via the
television have introduced consumers to the most basic interactive
entertainment experience," said Taplin. "Without the performance
constraints of the Internet, we believe Intertainer can transform the
experience into a truly satisfying one. By plugging into any of the
emerging broadband platforms, our entertainment application enables
full-motion video and enhanced interactivity regardless of whether
consumers use a TV or computer. We're excited. We think this is a
"killer app," he said.
In November 1997, Intertainer commenced beta testing of the service
employing Pacific Bell's Fast Trak ADSL system. The trial is operating
in three Central Offices in northern California. A second test, beginning
in February 1998, is taking place in Buena Park, California in
conjunction with Comcast's cable modem system. Intertainer plans to
distribute the service to the cable modem and ADSL markets by the
third quarter of 1998.
"Intertainer capitalizes on the multi-billion dollar investment that cable
and telephone companies are making to create a broadband
infrastructure," said Baskin. "Our platform-neutral approach affirms
that there is room for more than one delivery system in what we
believe is a large market."
"Intertainer is representative of a new class of entertainment content
coming to the personal computer via broadband services," said Ron
Whittier, senior vice president and general manager, Content Group,
Intel Corp. "We are excited about the new forms of entertainment that
PC owners will enjoy, such as movies, television and music."
About Intertainer |
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