News
DIRECTV to Launch Interactive TV
The satcaster this month plans to offer daily horoscopes and lottery results.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (March 8) -- DIRECTV plans this month to launch its highly anticipated Interactive TV service. Called DIRECTV Active, it will provide viewers access to local weather information, daily horoscopes, stock summaries and lottery results. Dish owners will be able to retrieve the information with their TV remotes.
However, at this time, it's uncertain when DIRECTV will also provide interactive features for popular programming, such as CBS' Survivor, Fox's American Idol and the horse racing channel, TVG Network.
CBS recently announced that it will soon offer interactive features for Survivor, including on-screen polls. EchoStar, DIRECTV's main satellite rival, and several cable operators are expected to offer the interactive Survivor. In addition, EchoStar now permits subscribers in 12 states to bet on the horses through an Interactive TV feature on the TVG Network.
Jade Ekstedt, a DIRECTV spokeswoman, confirmed that the satcaster plans to launch DIRECTV Active this month. But Eckstedt said she's not sure if interactive features for American Idol and TVG will be part of the launch.
"We haven't publicly announced anything like that," she said, adding that she did not know a specific launch date for the interactive service. "But we are planning for it this month."
TVPredictions.com has learned that DIRECTV will offer interactive features for primetime programming, such as American Idol. But the features may not be ready for the launch of DIRECTV Active. The satellite TV service has had some technical glitches with the interactive service, which has delayed its launch until this month.
DIRECTV's ITV service will be free to subscribers. However, the company says it will only be available to owners of "interactive-enabled" DIRECTV receivers, later models sold over the last few years.
The main features of DIRECTV ACTIVE will be:
Main Screen
DIRECTV Active's main screen, which will have its own channel, will display stock market summaries and local weather information. In addition, a video loop will provide customer care and Pay Per View highlights.
Weather
The interactive weather feature will provide current and five-day local weather forecasts for thousands of U.S. cities. Viewers will be able to add up to five additional U.S. cities from a list of more than 2,000 cities.
Mix Channels
The Mix Channels, which are currently available on DIRECTV, enable subscribers to view up to six live channels from different networks on one screen. However, after the launch of DIRECTV Active, viewers will be able to tune to one Mix channel by pressing the "Select" key on their remotes. The first three DIRECTV Mix channels are for sports, news and children.
Horoscope
DIRECTV viewers will be able to check their daily horoscope by clicking on an on-screen astrological sign.
Lottery
DIRECTV will offer up-to-the-minute results from the 38 state lotteries in the United States. Current jackpot amounts will also be listed. -30-
Phillip Swann, president of TVPredictions.com, has been quoted on TV technology in dozens of publications and by broadcast outlets, such as The Chicago Tribune, The Hollywood Reporter, Fox News and CNN. If you would like to contact Mr. Swann, he can be reached at 703-505-3064 or at swann@tvpredictions.com
this was found here:
http://www.tvpredictions.com/directvactive030805.html
DIRECTV to Launch Interactive TV
The satcaster this month plans to offer daily horoscopes and lottery results.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (March 8) -- DIRECTV plans this month to launch its highly anticipated Interactive TV service. Called DIRECTV Active, it will provide viewers access to local weather information, daily horoscopes, stock summaries and lottery results. Dish owners will be able to retrieve the information with their TV remotes.
However, at this time, it's uncertain when DIRECTV will also provide interactive features for popular programming, such as CBS' Survivor, Fox's American Idol and the horse racing channel, TVG Network.
CBS recently announced that it will soon offer interactive features for Survivor, including on-screen polls. EchoStar, DIRECTV's main satellite rival, and several cable operators are expected to offer the interactive Survivor. In addition, EchoStar now permits subscribers in 12 states to bet on the horses through an Interactive TV feature on the TVG Network.
Jade Ekstedt, a DIRECTV spokeswoman, confirmed that the satcaster plans to launch DIRECTV Active this month. But Eckstedt said she's not sure if interactive features for American Idol and TVG will be part of the launch.
"We haven't publicly announced anything like that," she said, adding that she did not know a specific launch date for the interactive service. "But we are planning for it this month."
TVPredictions.com has learned that DIRECTV will offer interactive features for primetime programming, such as American Idol. But the features may not be ready for the launch of DIRECTV Active. The satellite TV service has had some technical glitches with the interactive service, which has delayed its launch until this month.
DIRECTV's ITV service will be free to subscribers. However, the company says it will only be available to owners of "interactive-enabled" DIRECTV receivers, later models sold over the last few years.
The main features of DIRECTV ACTIVE will be:
Main Screen
DIRECTV Active's main screen, which will have its own channel, will display stock market summaries and local weather information. In addition, a video loop will provide customer care and Pay Per View highlights.
Weather
The interactive weather feature will provide current and five-day local weather forecasts for thousands of U.S. cities. Viewers will be able to add up to five additional U.S. cities from a list of more than 2,000 cities.
Mix Channels
The Mix Channels, which are currently available on DIRECTV, enable subscribers to view up to six live channels from different networks on one screen. However, after the launch of DIRECTV Active, viewers will be able to tune to one Mix channel by pressing the "Select" key on their remotes. The first three DIRECTV Mix channels are for sports, news and children.
Horoscope
DIRECTV viewers will be able to check their daily horoscope by clicking on an on-screen astrological sign.
Lottery
DIRECTV will offer up-to-the-minute results from the 38 state lotteries in the United States. Current jackpot amounts will also be listed. -30-
Phillip Swann, president of TVPredictions.com, has been quoted on TV technology in dozens of publications and by broadcast outlets, such as The Chicago Tribune, The Hollywood Reporter, Fox News and CNN. If you would like to contact Mr. Swann, he can be reached at 703-505-3064 or at swann@tvpredictions.com
this was found here:
http://www.tvpredictions.com/directvactive030805.html
