TV Guide expands EPG market into Latin America

TV Guide International, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc., have completed a long term affiliation agreement for its TV Guide Interactive interactive program guide with Digital Latin America, LLC (DLA), a joint venture created by Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst, Incorporated, Liberty Media Corp. (United Global Com, pending completion of its merger with Liberty Media), and Motorola, Inc. DLA's Digital Content Aggregation and Uplink System (DCAUS) service will be the first full-service, fully integrated digital launch initiative in Latin America, and will become the digital distribution platform for the region once it commences operations in the 1st Quarter of 2001.

"This agreement assures our affiliates access to the most sophisticated interactive program guide available anywhere in the world," said Michael Pulli, CEO of DLA. "With TV Guide Interactive, we will be offering our customers such features as programmable reminders, parental control options, and impulse pay- per-view (PPV) ordering, in addition to the most complete interactive program listings anywhere, and we do so with the confidence of a proven application. TV Guide Interactive is distributed by more than 100 MSO customers in the U.S., to more than five (5) million subscribers."

"The most important element of this deal is the enormous revenue potential that TV Guide Interactive provides DLA and its affiliates," added Pulli. "We expect TV Guide Interactive to generate higher uptakes of premium and PPV services. We also expect the advertising and t-commerce opportunities available through this television portal to make a significant contribution to our cash flow and bottom line."

"The international marketplace is one which we feel has tremendous potential for TV Guide Interactive – and the Latin American marketplace has already been embracing the TV Guide brand for years with the TV Guide Channel. Digital Latin America has great respect for our significant international IPG patent portfolio as demonstrated by their long-term commitment. We are especially pleased at the opportunity to build our association with Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst, and to continue to expand our relationships with Liberty Media, United Global Com and Motorola," said Peter C. Boylan III, Co-President and co-COO of Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc.

"DLA lowers the barriers of entry to the digital world. DLA will offer digital service to Latin America's 12 million subscribers," said Rick Phillips, Executive Vice President of TV Guide International. "With a footprint that covers all of Latin America and the Caribbean, this relationship represents a huge opportunity for TV Guide Interactive as digital services begin to roll out."

Source: Gemstar-TV Guide International
With contributions by John McKnight, Assistant Editor