From: Ramon Chen
Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2001 1:08 AM
To: *ALL MetaTV
Subject: Hot News Alert: Liberate names MetaTV as Sole Technology Provider to Extend PopTV Variety Pack TV Portal
This MetaTV/Liberate joint release will hit the PR wires this morning in approximately 3 hours.
You should be able to see it under news items at http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=lbrt&d=v1
it has also been posted on our web site at http://www.metatv.com/new/liberate012301.htm linked off the home page.
Note that Liberate will also be issuing a separate PR release about Variety pack in general at the same time.
Congratulations to everyone on their hard work making this happen.
We are finally able to unveil our truly big time news.
This is going to be viewed as big, not just for MetaTV but by network operators as we expect to receive
significant attention from both the press and the iTV community at large because of this “exclusive” agreement.
Liberate compact – for low-end set-top boxes is extremely strategic for Liberate and predicted to be a
major revenue stream for them. Our sole technology provider status means, whereever they
go, we go. Well done to everyone!
MetaTV
Innovate. Adapt. Amaze.
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Liberate names MetaTV as Sole Technology Provider to Extend PopTV Variety Pack TV Portal
to Low-end Set-top Boxes
LAS VEGAS, Nevada – January 23, 2001 – Liberate Technologies (Nasdaq: LBRT) today announced that it has named MetaTV as the sole provider of interactive television (iTV) portal technology and services for Liberate PopTV™ Variety Pack on the Liberate TV Platform™ for low-end set-tops. Liberate PopTV Variety Pack is a set of pre-packaged portal content from leading TV and Internet brands designed to give network operator customers a turnkey solution for interactive television pilots. This announcement builds on Liberate’s and MetaTV’s collaboration on the earlier release of Liberate PopTV Variety Pack for high-end set-top boxes by making it available for use on low-end set-top boxes, including the millions of Motorola DCT-2000 set-top boxes currently deployed. The announcement was made at the National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE 2001) tradeshow being held here this week.
Together, Liberate and MetaTV will provide a complete, integrated iTV offering to network operators that contains compelling, TV-centric content and services such as
news, weather, sports and local city information, including traffic reports and current
events. Content partners include such companies as the Weather Channel. For additional information, refer to today’s press release issued by Liberate that highlights the leading national content partners participating in this version of the Variety Pack.
“We are pleased to enter into this agreement with MetaTV to deliver on Liberate’s promise to provide network operators with the ability to deploy compelling programming and services on their low-end set-tops,” said David Limp, Chief Strategy Officer, Liberate Technologies. “MetaTV’s unique technology makes it possible for network operators and content providers to leverage their existing assets and quickly create TV-centric portals and services. This partnership with MetaTV ensures Liberate’s lead in providing iTV to the millions of low-end set-tops already installed in consumers’ homes today.”
“We are delighted Liberate has named MetaTV the sole provider of iTV portal technology and services for the Liberate PopTV Variety Pack on low-end set-tops,” said Ranjit Sahota, CEO and founder of MetaTV. “Liberate has long been a leader in helping make interactive television a reality. Their expertise, combined with the integration of our industry-first, enabling technology for iTV portals will make it possible for network operators to rapidly deliver compelling, revenue-generating iTV services to millions of set-top boxes already deployed. The strength and integration of MetaTV’s and Liberate’s technologies and talents help network operators accelerate the rollout of iTV portals,” said Sahota.
MetaTV’s complete solution encompasses all aspects of design, development, deployment and management of network operators’ TV portals and walled gardens that are populated with eBusiness content and services. The MetaTV Universal Portal Platform enables a branded portal for the network operator while quickly transforming existing Web-based eBusiness content and services into TV-centric designs. This addresses the need for network operators and eBusinesses to remain focused on their core businesses, brand positioning, and new service offerings. The result is a faster and cost-effective rollout of robust iTV services to consumers on the Liberate TV Platform for the Motorola DCT-2000.
Both Liberate and MetaTV have established proven records of success with leading cable, telecommunications and satellite companies as well as Internet service providers and content providers. MetaTV recently announced agreements with satellite TV operator Pegasus Communications and is working with leading content, design and technology providers to offer network operators a complete iTV solution. Liberate has announced agreements with AOL, AT&T Broadband, Cablevision, Comcast, Cox, Insight Communications and Pegasus Communications. Both companies demonstrate strength in their core competencies that are synergistic for delivering a robust, new offering of exciting iTV content and services to consumers.
About Liberate Technologies
Liberate Technologies is a leading provider of a complete software platform for delivering Internet-enhanced content and applications to information appliances, such as television set-top boxes and game consoles. Liberate’s Internet-based client and server software allows network operators, such as telecommunications companies, cable and satellite television operators and Internet service providers to provide consumers access to network operator-branded applications and services. Headquartered in San Carlos, California, the company has sales offices in the U.S., Canada, Japan and the U.K.
Liberate, Liberate TV Platform Compact, Liberate PopTV Variety Pack and the Liberate logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Liberate Technologies. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Information in this release that involves Liberate’s expectations, beliefs, hopes, plans, intentions or strategies regarding the future are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. All forward-looking statements included in this release are based upon information available to Liberate as of the date of the release, and Liberate assumes no obligation to update them. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results could differ materially form Liberate’s current expectations. Liberate’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) (including its Form 10Q filed on January 12, 2001) discuss factors that could contribute to such differences and describe other risks of Liberate’s business.
About MetaTV
MetaTV is a global provider of interactive TV (iTV) portals, services, and enhanced applications that enable television viewers to engage in content, community, and commerce. The Company’s technology, products, and strategic professional services are designed to enable network operators, eBusinesses, and TV programmers to bring custom-branded, compelling iTV services to consumers. The MetaTV Universal PortalÔ Platform features broadband e-commerce, syndication, advertising, personalization, and content management solutions that exploit the benefits of all major iTV set-top box application platforms. The result is an innovative way to rapidly bring to market new forms of interactivity and revenue-generating TV services. Headquartered in Sausalito, California, MetaTV can be reached on the web at www.metatv.com.