TWO WAY TV AND FLEXTECH SIGN MAJOR DEAL

EUROPE’S first fully interactive games network will launch in the early part of 2002 following a major deal between Flextech and Two Way TV that combines the finest entertainment programming with the best interactive expertise available.
Viewers of Flextech’s digital game show channel Challenge TV will be able to join in and answer questions, live, with some of its most popular game shows such as ‘Telly Addicts’, ‘TV Scrabble’ and reality show ‘Defectors’.
Players compete with friends, family and others on the same network, paying to take part in return for the chance of winning prizes and seeing their name on the leaderboard. No special equipment is needed; it’s all done through the handset and existing set-top box.
Flextech will also build a portfolio of stand-alone games bringing enhanced TV to the multi-channel viewer for the first time. Viewers will be able to access these games through the channel and the walled garden on digital cable or by pressing the red interactive button on the remote whilst watching the channel on satellite. Free to play and pay to play games are currently being commissioned from Victoria Real & Be. Studios.
The service will be broadcast across all platforms and will also harness the additional technology that Telewest are currently trialling on their network - Liberate 1.2.
Flextech will also look at the potential of using Two Way TV’s games applications across all the Flextech channels once the service has been launched on Challenge TV.
The deal will provide the only interactive games service with a channel behind it and as part of this strategy, Challenge TV will be commissioning a number brand new interactive formats for the new look channel next year. (CD)