"We really want to find out what type of content will complement and increase our customers' TV viewing pleasure," said SCV vice president of Marketing Tham Loke Kheng.
The enhanced TV service is a project from SCV and Nasdaq-listed Worldgate, which provides a hyperlinking function. This lets viewers connect to the Web site of the channel they are watching at the push of a button. "So if you click on the hyperlink button while watching a drama, say, on AXN Action TV, you can find out more about the storyline or the cast. Or you can take part in a guess-the-score online contest while watching a match on Football Channel," said Tham.
SCV is working with various cable channels and other partners to produce content specially for the trial, which, according to a July announcement, the company said would last 3 months. During this period, the Worldgate monthly subscription is S$12.36, and includes six free email accounts, a wireless keyboard and a universal remote control.
The cable company said it plans to market the trial as an upgrade of its cable TV service, which has been re-branded as SCV MaxTV.
"We know our customers will like the flat monthly fee, the unlimited Internet access and how easy it is to get onto the Internet through this service. Access speed is up to 128 kbps so it’s also faster than a dial-up modem," noted Tham. "There is also no need to invest in expensive equipment as all you need is a TV set and an SCV MaxTV subscription."
However, she admitted that there are a few areas of uncertainty about Web TV, like whether users would be comfortable checking their email on the TV, in front of their family, and whether the appearance of Web sites would be compromised by the lower resolution of the TV screen.
Free to air broadcaster TCS, which runs Channels 5 and 8 and Channel NewsAsia, also plans to launch its digital TV service by year end. Digital TV also allows for Internet and interactive services.
SCV currently offers cable TV and broadband services. Web TV will be its third service, but it has not set a launch date yet. SCV also plans to Net-based telephony products and services, with trials expected by year end.
Prospective SCV customers who want to be among the first in Singapore to sample this latest example of SCV’s connected lifestyle can contact SCV at 873 3333, fax at 8701-603, or email at cssales@scv.com.sg.
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