New cable package to enhance race coverage

LOS ANGELES -- The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) and iN DEMAND have partnered to launch 'NASCAR in car on iN Demand,' a multi-channel season-long television package that offers fans flag-to-flag in-car camera coverage for NASCAR Winston Cup Series events.

The package was developed by NASCAR Digital Entertainment and iN Demand in conjunction with NASCAR's broadcast partners to complement NASCAR's live event coverage on FOX, FX, NBC and TNT. It offers fans five dedicated channels of in-car cameras, live team audio communications and real-time race car performance data displayed on animated dashboards. This multi-year agreement between NASCAR and iN Demand runs through the 2004 NASCAR season.

"Our races will always be available free on network and cable television broadcasts for our fans," said NASCAR President Mike Helton. "This package is just like NBA League Pass and NHL Center Ice, it gives our fans more choices."

Over the past year FOX, FX, NBC and TNT have taken NASCAR's racing coverage to one of the highest levels in televised sports and their live coverage including in-car camera and other data enhancements in the broadcast will continue and is not affected by this agreement. Fans will continue to receive the full line-up of live NASCAR races on network and cable television. Fans who choose to enhance their viewing experience can order the 'NASCAR in car on iN Demand' package from their local cable operator and iN Demand.

"'NASCAR in car on iN Demand' is a unique extension of our live network telecasts and reaffirms our commitment to bring new media applications to our fans, teams, tracks and their sponsors," said Paul Brooks, vice president of broadcasting, NASCAR. "Fans will now have the opportunity to further see why NASCAR drivers are some of the top athletes in the world and enhance their viewing experience during our network coverage which will continue to be free on FOX, FX, NBC and TNT."

"The partnership between NASCAR and iN Demand will result in an entirely new way of watching sports on television, featuring outstanding race enhancements that will enable the digital cable customer to become more actively involved in the event," said Rob Jacobson, executive vice president, iN Demand. "This represents a terrific opportunity for our affiliates to offer their digital customers added value and sustained differentiated programming."

ACTV will produce the package week-to-week while NASCAR Digital Entertainment and iN Demand will serve as executive producers. ACTV, Inc. (Nasdaq: IATV) is a digital media company providing proprietary technologies, tools, and technical and creative services for enhanced TV advertising, personalized programming applications and enhanced media.

"ACTV's technology, designed specifically for the television screen, will put legions of NASCAR fans in control of their own race," says ACTV Chief Executive Officer David Reese. "iN DEMAND subscribers with digital cable will be able to experience the action from inside their favorite NASCAR car." The package consists of seven sequential digital channels. The first channel will duplicate the free live network event broadcast from NBC, TNT, FOX, or FX. Five additional channels will feature dedicated in-car camera coverage with on-screen enhancements from Sportvision, a leader in sports media technology.

Features include a real-time animated dashboard with needles, gauges and information including the driver's name, car position, miles-per-hour, and RPMs, and each in-car channel will also include a mix of ambient car sounds and/or team communications.

The seventh channel will feature additional event information and in-car camera perspectives. In-car cameras are provided by Broadcast Sports Technologies, a leader in microwave transmission and custom remote controlled miniature camera systems. The broadcast network commercials will be aired across all channels in the package.

NASCAR in car on iN Demand' will offer digital cable customers an annual package with as many as 36 races. The green flag is scheduled to drop on Sunday, June 16, 2002, from Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan.

The 2002 package will be offered at $99 for 22 races, although there will be an early promotional offer of $89 if purchased prior to June 22, 2002. The complete season packages for 2003 and 2004 will offer 36 races. 'NASCAR IN CAR On iN DEMAND' will be offered on AT&T, Time Warner, Comcast, Cox and other Multiple System Operators throughout the country.