MSNBC.com to Launch NBC News Interactive Programming on WebTV Plus

Posted on September 29, 1999

Starting mid October, MSNBC.com will begin daily production of interactive television for NBC News programs, including NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw, Dateline NBC and the Today Show, it was announced by John Nicol, general manager of MSNBC.com.

"MSNBC.com, the leader in online news and interactive television programming, will augment NBC News programming by combining the daily broadcasts with the interactivity of the World Wide Web," says Nicol. "We firmly believe that audience participation is the next revolution in the news and information television experience. We've tested this with Dateline Interactive during this summer and saw strong viewer interest with people logging on to cast their votes live during the program. Now, MSNBC.com is making the next step by developing fully converged television for the NBC News audience."

Enhanced content designed specifically for the Microsoft WebTV Network_ Plus service will include interactive broadcasts of NBC News programming and special reports. Daily programming will include interactive features for breaking news such as the MSNBC Live Vote, chats and online reports. Clickable features for all NBC News programming will be available on the enhanced WebTV Plus service. Cross-media interactive advertising will also be included in the interactive programming.