OpenTV Builds Interactive Advertising Solution for FOXTEL and MCn

OpenTV Builds Interactive Advertising Solution for FOXTEL and MCn

Toyota and Commonwealth Bank Are the Two 'Equal First' Users of OpenTV's i-Ad Technology in Australia

SYDNEY, Australia, April 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- OpenTV Corp. (NASDAQ:OPTV), one of the world's leading interactive television companies, announced today that FOXTEL, Australia's leading subscription television provider, will launch an end-to-end two-way interactive advertising (i-Ad) solution based on OpenTV software that will provide FOXTEL Digital subscribers with a true digital interactive advertising experience that subscribers can control. The i-Ad solution, which leverages OpenTV's middleware, was developed, integrated and launched by OpenTV, and will make its debut on FOXTEL Digital on 24 April, 2005. Toyota will promote its new Hilux four wheel drive vehicle through dynamic, 30-second advertisements, and Commonwealth Bank will use the same i-Ad technology to advertise its mobile banking service.

OpenTV's interactive advertising solution will complement FOXTEL Digital's existing interactive applications and allow viewers to use their remote control to retrieve extensive information pulled from the ads. With a click of the red button on their remotes, viewers will immediately launch the interactive ad and be able to select additional features to view or make requests for pertinent product information. Multi Channel Network (MCn), an affiliate of FOXTEL, is managing the milestone ad campaigns and will drive the creation of further campaigns in the Australian Market.

"Our interactive advertising solution ensures that FOXTEL Digital viewers will receive advertisements that are not only informative, but also tailored in a way that allows them to create their own experience and see features or retrieve materials that are relevant to their interests," said Mike Ivanchenko, OpenTV's senior vice president & managing director Asia / Pacific. "As a long-term, valued customer, we expect to continue to work closely with FOXTEL and Multi Channel Network to further enhance the television experience for its viewers and to introduce new and innovative ways to further engage the programmers and advertisers with whom FOXTEL works each day."

Patrick Delany, FOXTEL's executive director of content, product development and delivery, said, "The launch of interactive advertising on FOXTEL Digital builds on the control we give our subscribers over the content available on our platform, while giving advertisers a new and unique way of communicating with the consumer segments that matter most to them. OpenTV has already played a key role in delivering middleware and interactive applications provided by FOXTEL Digital, and they are at the forefront of this new technology that will change the face of television advertising."

"The introduction of interactive advertising is the start of the biggest innovation in television advertising in Australia since the inception of television in 1956," said MCn CEO Anthony Fitzgerald. "It brings a significant number of benefits to both viewers and advertisers -- including a more creative, relevant and targeted communications environment, as well as greater control and accountability in relation to the results of a campaign. OpenTV is a leader in the creation of innovative iTV i-Ad applications and we are pleased to leverage their expertise to help us achieve our goals with our advertising partners."

About OpenTV

OpenTV is one of the world's leading interactive television companies. Deployed in over 50 million digital set-top-boxes in 96 countries, the company's software enables a wide array of functionality, included enhanced television, interactive shopping, interactive and addressable advertising, games and gaming, personal video recording, and a variety of consumer care and communication applications. For more information, please visit www.opentv.com.

About FOXTEL

FOXTEL is Australia's leading subscription television provider and is connected to more than 1.16 million homes on cable and satellite through retail and wholesale distribution. FOXTEL is owned by Telstra Corporation Ltd (50%), The News Corporation Ltd (25%), and Publishing and Broadcasting Ltd. (25%). FOXTEL launched its new digital cable and satellite service in March 2004.

About MCn

Established in 1996, MCn is a joint venture between FOXTEL, Austar and a number of the key channels. MCn is responsible foe the advertising interests of over thirty national channels including the recently launched digital interactive offerings of Sky News Interactive and Fox Sports Active.

Source: OpenTV Corp.

CONTACT: Marc McCarthy of OpenTV, +1-415-962-5111, or mmccarthy@opentv.com; or Brendon Moo of FOXTEL, +612-9200-1057, or brendon.moo@foxtel.com.au; or Fleur Brown of Launch Management Group, +612-8257-1741, or fleur@launchgroup.com.au, for OpenTV

Web site: http://www.opentv.com/

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