DISH Network(R) and Ensequence Partner With NBC Universal to Deliver Innovative Interactive TV Experience for 2008 Beijing Olympic Games
Six-Screen Mosaic and Interactive Triggers Enhance NBCU's 2008 Beijing Olympic Games Viewing Experience
NEW YORK and ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Aug 07, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- DISH Network Corporation (Nasdaq: DISH), the third largest pay-TV provider and the digital transition leader, and Ensequence, the interactive TV company, today announced that NBC Universal (NBCU) has selected them to transform NBCU's coverage of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games into a fully interactive experience.
DISH Network(R) will offer NBCU's 2008 Beijing Olympic Games coverage through its Interactive TV (iTV) mosaic, a multiple-screen showcase, available to more than 12 million iTV-enabled DISH Network subscribers. Airing from August 8 - August 24, 2008, the iTV mosaic will broadcast from six NBCU channels: CNBC, MSNBC, Oxygen, USA Network and two Olympic highlight channels. DISH Network subscribers can watch all six screens simultaneously or select one channel to watch in full-screen.
"DISH Network's iTV mosaic is an excellent platform to showcase NBCU's coverage of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games by giving customers a unique viewing experience that allows them to watch four live events and two highlight channels or select one channel for full-screen viewing," said Michael Kelly, executive vice president of DISH Network. "The mosaic is an important component of DISH Network's more than 25 existing iTV channels -- the most offered by any pay-TV provider in the U.S. -- and serves as a great option for fans of NBCU's 2008 Olympic Games coverage to follow their favorite events and athletes."
In addition, Ensequence was chosen by NBCU to provide a separate interactive application on DishHOME (DISH Network Ch. 100). NBCU's 2008 Beijing Olympic Games experience wraps interactivity around live programming on DISH Network. Viewers are able to use their remote control to instantly:
- Access athlete profiles
- Read late-breaking news
- View video highlights of the day's events
- Track each country's medal counts
- Learn more about featured sponsors
- See the team USA Report
- Learn more about Beijing and the event venues
This represents the second time that NBCU and Ensequence have teamed up to deliver interactive television to viewers. "NBC Universal and DISH Network continue to set the pace for the entire industry with interactive television and we're excited to be partnering with them to create and deliver the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games interactive television experience," said Dalen Harrison, Ensequence CEO. "The world's most innovative programmers such as NBC Universal are realizing that interactive television delivers the engagement and accountability of the internet, giving them the best of both worlds."