In the near future the TV-landscape will look very different from today. The main difference is that the viewer will get the technical freedom to watch programs or program items whenever he or she wants to watch them.

For the current broadcasters this means that there will be a migration from exploiting a single "horizontal" channel format to exploiting a set of "vertical channels" or "viewer communities".

In order to exploit these communities in the future, they first have to be identified and become more clearly visible within the current market position of the TV-Channel. This is what TV-Windows accomplishes.

TV-Windows links the television program broadcast to any other "viewer community" activities.

It uses a number of different approaches to establish information bridges:

1. TV-Windows Info-Bar (TV-Program Communities)

2. TV-Windows Ad-Bar (Advertiser Communities)

3. TV-Windows ITV-Bar (Viewer-Program Interaction)

4. TV-Windows EDU-Bar (Distance Learning)

The main principle of TV-Windows is shown on the TV-Picture below this text.

The service is based on combining the television program (video) with a number of teletext lines (the actual TV-Window). These text lines can be made visible together with the program at the choice of the viewer and can be switched off by the viewer if they are no longer appreciated.

To make the viewer aware that a combination of video and TV-Windows teletext is available, a text is displayed together with the TV-Windows logo during the broadcast. This way the viewer is stimulated to activate the TV-Windows teletext service.

If selected, TV-Windows generates interactive "ticker tapes" or "info-bars" with a line or word update structure, this way background information and advertisements can be displayed in a small area of the screen without causing too much impact on the programs being broadcast.

Next to information, which has a direct relationship with these programs, additional TV-Windows services like for example stock exchange tickers or interactive services can be offered. The viewer at home will notice his own preferences and will remember them by the TV-Windows numbers.

TV-Windows has been technically piloted in Hungary for three years, at the commercial broadcaster TV2 (part of the SBS group of television channels). After evaluation of the pilot project the second generation TV-Windows, with improved readability and interactivity, has become available and is now ready for market introduction.

To receive further, more detailed, information please contact us.