TV AND INTERNET MERGE
By Adnews Staff
U.S.-based WebTV Networks Inc. launched its WebTV Plus Network system this week, allowing users to watch TV, surf the Internet and send and receive e-mail through their TV sets. The service is available in North America. Called the WebTV Plus Network system, the service enables users to view a week's worth of TV programming and will notify them when their favorite show is on. In Canada, users will be able to view Canadian news headlines, weather and community news, as well as view Canadian content sites. WebTV is available through a set-top box. In Canada, the boxes will be sold through Sony of Canada. Currently, there are no immediate Canadian advertising plans for WebTV, but the technology will allow Canadian advertisers to promote themselves to Canadians. Canadian PR for WebTV is done by Hill & Knowlton of Toronto.