BackChannelMedia's Clickable TV Integrated with Triveni's GuideBuilder to Enable ITV for Broadcasters

BackChannelMedia--a company that offers a technology called Clickable TV, which allows viewers to forward or "bookmark" information from their TV to a personal Web portal or to their email account--and Triveni Digital--an LG Electronics subsidiary which develops systems that provide for the management and distribution of data and metadata in digital TV streams--said Tuesday that Clickable TV has been integrated with Triveni Digital's GuideBuilder PSIP metadata management system, in order to enable interactive TV for local broadcasters. According to Triveni, the GuideBuilder system provides "mission-critical" operational capabilities for content providers and network operators, including managing PSI and PSIP metadata--critical elements for deploying interactive TV.

BackChannelMedia and Triveni Digital say that their collaboration signals the beginning of an effort to introduce interactive TV solutions in markets of any size. According to BackChannelMedia, Clickable TV is an EBIF-based application which has been developed in such a way that it can be adapted and scaled to work in a broad range of broadcaster and cable operator technology environments. The company says it launched Clickable TV in Montgomery, Alabama, with the collaboration of Raycom Media station, WSFA, and Knology Cable. According to the company, the system is currently live in homes within Knology's cable system with PID insertion accomplished at WSFA. "WSFA was very excited to be a part of the development of this new product, and we could not be more pleased with the cooperation and support extended by BackChannelMedia and Triveni Digital," WSFA chief engineer, Morris Pollock, said in a prepared statement. "Clickable TV will equip viewers and advertisers across the country with additional features to enhance the television viewing experience." Added BackChannelMedia CTO, Madeleine Noland: "Triveni Digital made an exceptional effort to enhance its technology to be compatible with the Clickable TV system. It demonstrates to us that technology vendors like Triveni Digital are dedicated to delivering new interactive technologies, services and products to their customers. Broadcasters can now explore the world of interactive television--a world that many may have thought was only for cable."

BackChannelMedia and Triveni Digital say that, through their collaboration, they are demonstrating that deployment of interactive TV is possible not only for cable operators, but for local broadcasters too. Triveni Digital plans to showcase its GuideBuilder PSIP/SI generation system at the SCTE Cable-Tec Expo in New Orleans next month.