NBC Universal Hails Success of Digital Initiatives

NEW YORK, December 19: NBC Universal is celebrating what it
is calling a “groundbreaking” year for its digital initiatives, with 40
interactive TV shows and events in 2006 across 12 business units, generating
130 million web votes and SMS messages.

NBC Universal’s interactive initiatives have included
allowing viewers to choose the “Lucky Case" for the chance to win $10,000
on NBC's Deal or No Deal, single-screen
interactivity with Bravo's Top Chef
(only available to Time Warner Cable digital customers) and in-show text alerts
from the characters of USA Network's The 4400.

"We need to find ways to engage consumers like never
before," said Jeff Gaspin, the president of NBC Universal Cable
Entertainment, Digital Content and Cross-Network Strategy. "These
interactive applications give us insight into our viewers' behavior and offer
them opportunities to connect with their favorite programming."

"iTV is a huge area of growth for the company,"
added Jon Dakss, the director of iTV product development at the company.
"It has significantly changed television viewing habits, making it a much
more hands-on experience. Viewers are clearly responding in record numbers, and
we are excited to launch a number of new interactive features in the coming
year."

The iTV team has made two new hires to its team: Andy Castin
joins from ABC/Disney as a senior iTV technical producer, working with NBC's
sports and news divisions. Elena Ritchie from Motricity (formerly GoldPocket Wireless)
also joins the group as an iTV technical producer and will focus on iTV
initiatives for NBC's entertainment properties.