WEATHER NETWORK AND WINK COMMUNICATIONS TO PRODUCE INTERACTIVE WEATHER PROGRAMMING
By Adnews Staff
The Weather Network of Mississauga and Wink Communications of Alameda, CA are teaming up to produce interactive programming and advertising. The Weather Network is a 24-hour weather forcasting specialty station. Wink's software, distributed through cable and satellite operators and network and cable broadcasters, allows viewers to interact with television programs and ads using a remote control. Later this year The Weather Network will begin broadcasting "enhanced" television programming using Wink-enabled set-top boxes. When viewers are watching such a broadcast, identified by an on-screen symbol, they will be able to access interactive weather programming such as current forecast conditions or order an advertised product directly from the advertiser. Pierre Morrissette, president and chief executive officer of The Weather Network, said the network's agreement with Wink is a step toward its goal of making weather information readily available to Canadians across any technology.