BOOTS & GRANADA TO LAUNCH HEALTH TV CHANNEL

THE BOOTS Company PLC and Granada Media have announced the formation of a new, independent internet and broadband company designed to be Britain’s e-business for health, beauty and well-being.
The new company will combine both an information and transactional website together with an interactive digital television channel scheduled for launch in February 2001.
Chief Executive of Granada Media, Steve Morrison, said: “Health, beauty and well-being are fundamental human interests. There is nothing more important than health. Granada, together with Boots, will be an authoritive, independent health and beauty TV channel, internet and broadband business for this country. I am delighted that it is now becoming technologically possible to provide every citizen in the country with their own personalised health service.”
Customers accessing the new channel from home will be able to secure delivery of information, services and products. It will give customers the choice of access to the service with which they feel most comfortable, be it TV, PC or laptop.
The new company is owned jointly by Boots who own 60 per cent, and Granada Media who own 40 per cent.
Their operating cost of the new company in the first year to March 31 2001 is put at £18 million.