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[12/19/06 - 10:12 AM] NBC Universal Interactive Television Has Ground-Breaking Year in 2006 The company's 40 iTV programs or events across 12 business units generated over 130 million web votes and SMS messages. |
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| [via press release from NBC Universal Television Studio] |
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NBC UNIVERSAL INTERACTIVE TELEVISION HAS GROUND-BREAKING YEAR IN 2006
NEW YORK � December 19, 2006 � The television networks of NBC Universal had a ground breaking year in interactive television, launching a total of 40 iTV programs or events across 12 business units, and generating over 130 million web votes and SMS messages. The wide variety of iTV features ranged from choosing the "Lucky Case" for the chance to win $10,000 on NBC's "Deal or No Deal" to single-screen synchronous interaction with Bravo's "Top Chef" to 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, President, 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," said Jon Dakss, Director, iTV Product Development, NBC Universal. "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."
This year, NBCU achieved several milestones in the iTV universe. The company launched seven single-screen iTV applications, more than any media company in the U.S., reaching millions of viewers. In addition, NBCU's interactive programs, like "Deal or No Deal" and Bravo's "Project Runway" received over 100 million web votes and 30 million SMS messages. In February, NBC became the first U.S. network to deploy the same single-screen iTV application to multiple digital platforms simultaneously during the 2006 Winter Olympics.
NBCU's success in the iTV space has translated into several landmark sponsorship opportunities. Bravo's "Top Chef" and Sears Kenmore PRO accomplished three firsts for a U.S. network program by deploying the first sponsored 1-screen enhanced TV element over a digital cable network, the first 1-screen enhanced TV element for a show across multiple digital cable systems simultaneously, and the first sponsored cross-carrier video message to a cell phone. In Bravo's first season of "Top Chef," single-screen interactivity that was made available to Time Warner Cable digital subscribers culminated in a peak of an impressive 30% viewer participation.
NBCU's iTV department is part of a new NBC Universal division known as the Technology Growth Center, which continues to grow as NBCU's digital efforts expand. The iTV team has made two new hires further bolstering 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.
NBC Universal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric and 20% owned by Vivendi.
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[12/10/25 - 10:03 AM] All-New Season of "Moonshiners" Premieres Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at 8PM ET/PT on Discovery Channel This season, history repeats itself as liquor prices skyrocket and trade wars cripple the legal market.
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[12/10/25 - 10:01 AM] "The Lincoln Lawyer" Season 4 - First Look & Date Announcement Netflix's hit drama series returns for its fourth season on Thursday, February 5, 2026.
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[12/10/25 - 10:01 AM] Revisit the Beloved Classic Films from Academy Award-Winning Writer/Director/Producer James L. Brooks, Ahead of 20th Century Studios' Release of "Ella McCay," Coming to Theaters Friday "Broadcast News," "Big," "Say Anything," "The War of the Roses," and "How Do You Know" are all available on Hulu.
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[12/10/25 - 10:00 AM] HBO Original Documentary "Music Box: Happy and You Know It" Debuts December 25 The film explores the underestimated and wildly popular genre, delving behind the scenes to tell the origin stories of some of the top names in the field.
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[12/10/25 - 10:00 AM] Celebrate Christmas Morning with "Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade," Thursday, Dec. 25, on ABC, Disney+ and Hulu This year's special features performances by Gwen Stefani, Lady A, Bebe Rexha, Nicole Scherzinger, and more.
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[12/10/25 - 09:54 AM] ABC Unwraps Holiday Presentations of Fan Favorite Shows "Dancing with the Holidays" was the top-performing holiday-themed special across the broadcast networks among Adults 18-49 in two years.
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[12/10/25 - 09:07 AM] Candace Cameron Bure, Aaron Ashmore, and Robin Dunne Star in, "Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Watchmaker," Streaming Exclusively on Great American Pure Flix, January 1 In the latest installment, Ainsley McGregor thought craft markets and book clubs, not corpses, would define her new life back home in Sweet River.
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[12/10/25 - 09:02 AM] Video: "Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua" - Official Trailer - Netflix Boxing disruptor Jake Paul challenges heavyweight powerhouse Anthony Joshua live in a career-defining super fight from Most Valuable Promotions.
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[12/10/25 - 09:01 AM] A New Doc Series About Natalee Holloway Recounts the Teen's Infamous Disappearance For the first time, Natalee's mother, Beth Holloway, tells the full, definitive story of the case that's haunted her for the past 20 years - from the day of Natalee's disappearance to the dramatic confession two decades later.
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[12/10/25 - 09:01 AM] Prime Video Announces "The CEO Club," Sets Premiere Date and Debuts Key Art Serena Williams, Thalia, Dee Hilfiger, Loren Ridinger, Winnie Harlow, Hannah Bronfman, and Isabela Grutman will star in this highly anticipated docu-series, premiering February 23.
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[12/10/25 - 09:00 AM] 25 Years Later, ID Uncovers the Cult Influence Behind Andrea Yates' Shocking Act in New Docuseries "The Cult Behind the Killer: The Andrea Yates Story" will premiere Tuesday, January 6 from 8-11PM ET/PT on ID.
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[12/10/25 - 09:00 AM] Star-Studded Performance Lineup Announced for "New Year's Eve Live: Nashville's Big Bash," Airing Dec. 31 on CBS and Paramount+ The five-hour special will feature performances by Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Rascal Flatts, Riley Green, Marcus King, Megan Moroney, Zach Top, Keith Urban, Gretchen Wilson, Stephen Wilson Jr., and Dwight Yoakam.
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[12/10/25 - 08:44 AM] "Wildcard Kitchen" Returns for Third Season of Underground Culinary Card Game with All-Star Players In each episode hosted by Eric Adjepong, three all-star chefs who know each other well bet, bluff and backstab for cold hard cash and bragging rights.
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[12/10/25 - 07:47 AM] ESPN to Present the 91st Heisman Trophy Ceremony, Saturday at 7 p.m. ET on ABC For the fifth year, the Heisman Ceremony will originate from Jazz at Lincoln Center's Appel Room in New York City and will be hosted by ESPN's Chris Fowler, emceeing for the 32nd straight year - every year ESPN has presented the ceremony.
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[12/10/25 - 07:01 AM] Apple TV Announces Lineup of Guest Performers for Season Two of "Yo Gabba GabbaLand!" The Super Music Friends and special guests feature an all-star mix of acclaimed and Grammy-winning artists including Santigold, Ziggy Marley, Sharon Van Etten, Sleigh Bells, Yola, Still Woozy, Silversun Pickups, Chicano Batman, The Aquabats! and Hemlocke Springs.
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