TV Guide Gives Interstitials New Style

Cable World, May 1, 2000 by Mike Reynolds

Continuing its on-air transformation, TV Guide Channel has tapped Debbie Matenopoulus to lead a series of new interstitials.

Matenopoulus, best known for her co-anchor role on ABC's The View, will provide TV Guide Channel viewers with updated and inside information on sports, technology and pay-per-view programming, beginning in late June. Matenopoulus is the network's second on-air host, joining Katie Wagner, who leads its "Music News" features.

Formerly known as Prevue Channel, the network provides a color-coded program scroll on the bottom half of the screen, while the top half airs original programming segments and previews offering behind-the-scenes looks at the latest in entertainment, family and news programming and movies.

Matenopoulus will showcase "The Moves," two-minute sports segments Monday-Friday, every other hour at 15 minutes past the hour. These interstitials will feature one-on-one demos of signature sports "moves" from stars in the worlds of basketball, football, boxing, soccer, golf and wrestling.

In "Tech Toys," Matenopoulus, who serves as a claymation reporter version of herself on MTV's Celebrity Deathmatch and stars in streaming video segments on rockcity.com and enow.com, will provide viewers with a one-minute peek at the latest in electronic gadgets and gizmos. It will air hourly on digital cable, home electronic devices and the Internet.

On the PPV side, Matenopoulus will introduce movie trailers highlighting movies airing that day. The trailers identify plot, characters and genre, aiding viewers in making appropriate selections.

"Debbie is a distinctly talented individual, bringing a mix of Hollywood charisma and original humor ... "said Pam McKissick, president/COO of TV Guide Television Group and TV Guide Networks.