or


[12/19/06 - 10:12 AM]
NBC Universal Interactive Television Has Ground-Breaking Year in 2006
The company's 40 iTV programs or events across 12 business units generated over 130 million web votes and SMS messages.

[via press release from NBC Universal Television Studio]

NBC UNIVERSAL INTERACTIVE TELEVISION HAS GROUND-BREAKING YEAR IN 2006

NEW YORK � December 19, 2006 � The television networks of NBC Universal had a ground breaking year in interactive television, launching a total of 40 iTV programs or events across 12 business units, and generating over 130 million web votes and SMS messages. The wide variety of iTV features ranged from choosing the "Lucky Case" for the chance to win $10,000 on NBC's "Deal or No Deal" to single-screen synchronous interaction with Bravo's "Top Chef" to in-show text alerts from the characters of USA Network's "The 4400."

"We need to find ways to engage consumers like never before," said Jeff Gaspin, President, NBC Universal Cable Entertainment, Digital Content and Cross-Network Strategy. "These interactive applications give us insight into our viewers' behavior and offer them opportunities to connect with their favorite programming."

"ITV is a huge area of growth for the company," said Jon Dakss, Director, iTV Product Development, NBC Universal. "It has significantly changed television viewing habits, making it a much more hands-on experience. Viewers are clearly responding in record numbers, and we are excited to launch a number of new interactive features in the coming year."

This year, NBCU achieved several milestones in the iTV universe. The company launched seven single-screen iTV applications, more than any media company in the U.S., reaching millions of viewers. In addition, NBCU's interactive programs, like "Deal or No Deal" and Bravo's "Project Runway" received over 100 million web votes and 30 million SMS messages. In February, NBC became the first U.S. network to deploy the same single-screen iTV application to multiple digital platforms simultaneously during the 2006 Winter Olympics.

NBCU's success in the iTV space has translated into several landmark sponsorship opportunities. Bravo's "Top Chef" and Sears Kenmore PRO accomplished three firsts for a U.S. network program by deploying the first sponsored 1-screen enhanced TV element over a digital cable network, the first 1-screen enhanced TV element for a show across multiple digital cable systems simultaneously, and the first sponsored cross-carrier video message to a cell phone. In Bravo's first season of "Top Chef," single-screen interactivity that was made available to Time Warner Cable digital subscribers culminated in a peak of an impressive 30% viewer participation.

NBCU's iTV department is part of a new NBC Universal division known as the Technology Growth Center, which continues to grow as NBCU's digital efforts expand. The iTV team has made two new hires further bolstering its team. Andy Castin joins from ABC/Disney as a Senior iTV Technical Producer, working with NBC's Sports and News divisions. Elena Ritchie from Motricity (formerly GoldPocket Wireless) also joins the group as an iTV Technical Producer and will focus on iTV initiatives for NBC's entertainment properties.

NBC Universal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric and 20% owned by Vivendi.





  [december 2006]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
     


· 4400, THE (USA)
· DEAL OR NO DEAL (CNBC)
· PROJECT RUNWAY (FREEFORM)
· TOP CHEF (BRAVO)





[02/17/26 - 12:01 PM]
Netflix Top 10: Week of February 9 - "Tyler Perry's Joe's College Road Trip" Takes the Scenic Route to No. 1
Plus: "The Lincoln Lawyer" Season 4 took No. 1 on the English TV list with 9.6 million views.

[02/17/26 - 11:48 AM]
Paramount Comments on Warner Bros. Discovery Disclosures
Paramount acknowledges the announcement from Warner Bros. Discovery that, acting with Netflix, they have decided to provide Paramount a 7-day "waiver" for negotiation.

[02/17/26 - 11:00 AM]
All-New Series "Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries" Set to Premiere April 23 on UPtv
The series blends cozy mystery, cultural discovery and heartwarming reinvention in a series about finding family in unexpected places and uncovering the truest parts of ourselves.

[02/17/26 - 11:00 AM]
Video: First-Look Teaser for "Sofia the First: Royal Magic" Unveiled
The new series is set to premiere this May on Disney+ and Disney Jr.

[02/17/26 - 10:34 AM]
FOX Nation Has Launched on Prime Video
Subscribers also have the opportunity to bundle FOX Nation with the FOX One streaming service in a single subscription on Prime Video, giving them instant access to the complete portfolio of FOX's leading news, sports, and entertainment branded content all in one app for $24.99.

[02/17/26 - 10:28 AM]
Video: Preview - "Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery" - Starring Alison Sweeney and Victor Webster
The latest installment premieres Saturday, March 7 at 8:00/7:00c on Hallmark Channel, next day on Hallmark+.

[02/17/26 - 10:06 AM]
Video: Official Series Trailer - "RJ Decker"
Investigate the new drama premiering Tuesday, March 3 on ABC.

[02/17/26 - 10:05 AM]
Miley Cyrus Returns Home for the "Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special," Streaming March 24 on Disney+
The special will be filmed in front of a live studio audience and will feature an exclusive, in-depth interview with Miley Cyrus, hosted by Alex Cooper.

[02/17/26 - 10:02 AM]
Video: Prime Video Releases Official Trailer for Season Two of Global Hit "Deadloch"
The first two episodes premiere March 20, with new episodes released weekly, culminating in the season finale on April 17.

[02/17/26 - 08:00 AM]
Dorinda Medley to Join "The Golden Life" (w/t) Docuseries on E!
Medley joins Kelly Bensimon, Countess Luann De Lesseps, Sonja Morgan and Ramona Singer in new series set in sunny Palm Beach, Florda.

[02/17/26 - 08:00 AM]
New Short-Form Series "Locker Diaries" Unlocks All-New Adventures from Disney's "ZOMBIES," "Phineas and Ferb," and "Descendants"
"Locker Diaries: ZOMBIES" kicks off the series with 11 short-form live-action episodes and gives viewers a glimpse into the drama unfolding in the school halls of Sunnyside & Shadyside.

[02/17/26 - 07:01 AM]
CNN Original Series "Standoff: The FBI, Power and Paranoia" Premieres Sunday, March 22 at 9PM ET/PT
Each episode focuses on a defining confrontation that reverberated far beyond the Oval Office, starting with former FBI Director James Comey's own account of his infamous clash with President Donald Trump.

[02/17/26 - 06:01 AM]
Most Valuable Promotions Brings Professional MMA to Netflix with Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano on Saturday, May 16, 2026 Live from Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California
Rousey vs. Carano represents a historic moment in combat sports as Netflix's first-ever live MMA broadcast and MVP's inaugural MMA event.

[02/17/26 - 04:04 AM]
WBD Files Definitive Proxy Statement and Schedules Special Meeting for March 20, 2026, to Approve the WBD-Netflix Transaction
Netflix, Inc. today issued the following statement regarding its fully financed definitive agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (WBD) to acquire Warner Bros., including its film and television studios, HBO Max and HBO.

[02/17/26 - 04:01 AM]
Warner Bros. Discovery Sets Special Meeting Date of March 20, 2026, and Unanimously Recommends Shareholders Vote FOR Netflix Merger; Warner Bros. Discovery to Initiate Discussions with Paramount Skydance for Their Best and Final Offer
Netflix grants seven-day waiver permitting WBD to engage with PSKY regarding deficiencies and open items in amended offer.