BRIEFS

Cable World,  Nov 25, 2002  

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SEACHANGE HELPS TWC SERVE UP VOD IN 14 MKTS

The Time Warner Cable VOD train just keeps on rolling, and SeaChange is there to shovel on more coal for the journey. Of the 16 U.S. markets that are now live with TWC's iCONTROL on-demand service, 14 are being powered by SeaChange. The Time Warner Cable divisions - all long-time SeaChange advertising system customers - represent diverse television markets including: Austin, Texas; Albany, N.Y.; Bakersfield, Calif. (Advance/Newhouse); Binghamton, N.Y.; Birmingham, Ala. (Advance/Newhouse); Charlotte, N.C.; Desert Cities, Calif.; Kansas City, Mo.; Lincoln, Neb.; Portland, Maine; Raleigh and Fayetteville, N.C.; Rochester, N.Y.; San Antonio, Texas; Shreveport, La.; Syracuse, N.Y.; and Waco, Texas.

TVFON MAKES GOOD ON THE PROMISE OF ITS NAME

TVFON Corporation last week unveiled its broadband videophone service, which it claims is the first capable of delivering two-way near-VHS to near-HDTV quality, real-time live video to desktop computers and dedicated terminals. All TVFON services are built on a network that integrates IP, broadband mobile, PSTN switch and signaling, and video processing technologies. The service is available for $19.95/month plus 5 cents/minute for domestic or 39 cents/minute for international calls. With current promotional pricing, both the activation and first three months fees are waived. TVFON has spent over four years developing its broadband videophone services.

BE THE BALL, DANNY: GOLFSPAN CAN FIX YOUR SWING

Noonan! Duffers looking to get in touch with their inner Ty Webbs may want to take a swing at GolfSpan.com, a Web-based video channel available via the Wavexpress TVTonic player. Dedicated to helping golfers improve their game, GolfSpan delivers exclusive lessons from instructors who have taught hundreds of PGA Tour pros. As part of a $3.95 subscription package, Broadband subs can access tips on-demand, using an intuitive guide.

OPENTV ADVANCES CREDIT CARD-BASED ITV MODEL

OpenTV has struck a deal with set-top distributor M@gicBox in a bid to demystify ITV transactions. By utilizing OpenTV's middleware and accounting solutions, both companies are looking to market a self-billing box that can charge a specially assigned credit card for specific interactive transactions in real time. Each set-top deployed will be assigned a MasterCard through which all transactions relating to the consumer and their pay TV account must pass. M@gicBox and its financial partners will receive a fee for every transaction. The first deployment of this transaction model will be in the Philippines.

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