Connect TV, which will provide interactive applications to cable companies Matav Cable Systems, and Tevel Digital, commenced operations today.
The company, owned by Dankner Investments (31.33%), Isfar Investments (62.66%), and CEO Tami Friedman (6%), was founded at the end of 2000 in order to provide solutions to enable broadcast applications. Through subsidiary 4uTV, owned by Connect TV (85%), and its managers (15%), the company develops and designs content that is adapted and integrated into digital television platforms.
Initially, the applications will be used to operate a game show channel. After that, the applications, according to the company's plans, will be used in additional content areas such as education, sports, sports betting, electronic commerce, SMS messaging, banking, bulletin boards, and more. Matav CEO Amit Levin and Tevel Digital managing director Yossi Douar said today that Adv. Dorit Inbar, chairperson of the Council for Cable and Satellite Broadcasting, had promised to approve the operations "within a few days."
Connect TV's technology and content is based on that of British company Two Way TV. Connect TV holds a license for the development, operation, distribution, and commercial use of the company's developments in Israel.
Connect TV also has an agreement with British company Static 2358 to provide video games.
Golden Channels reports it, too, will sign a contract with Connect TV, and that an agreement for cooperation between the two companies is already being formulated.
At present, the cable companies are connecting subscribers to digital set-top boxes, and are reportedly averaging 3,000 installations per day. According to estimates, by 2004, most multi-channel subscribers in Israel will be able to access digital services.
Connect TV's chairman of the board is Isfar owner Eilon (Lonny) Herzikovitch.
Published by Israel's Business Arena on May 21, 2001.