Press release: 1996-02-15: TELE-COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL TO DISTRIBUTE SEGA CHANNEL IN WESTERN EUROPE, NEW ZEALAND, AUSTRALIA AND ISRAEL

This is an unaltered copy of a press release, for use as a primary source on Sega Retro. Please do not edit the contents below. Language: English Original source: The Free Library

 DENVER, Feb. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Tele-Communications International, Inc. (Nasdaq: TINTA) announced today that it has been appointed as exclusive distributor of Sega Channel in western Europe, New Zealand, Australia and Israel. The service, which is already available in the U.S. and Canada, offers unlimited play of 25 different video games each month. It will be offered by Tele-Communications International to both cable operators and direct-to-home satellite systems.

Customers will be able to download games from Sega Channel to their Sega MegaDrive consoles using a specially developed adapter. The Channel will provided unlimited access to a monthly library of games broadcast on a continuous basis, and will initially be available in four languages: English, French, German and Spanish.

Games will include new titles unique to the channel, trials of new games prior to their launch and a range of existing games from the 700 titles already available. The channel will include a unique Password for Parents system which allows parents to control the games children play. Parents can limit game play by using the "lock out" function that restricts play by game rating.

Nick Fiore, Vice President and Managing Director International, Sega Channel, commented: "Tele-Communications International has established successful partnerships around the world which have proved its capabilities as a program distributor. We look forward to working with them to bring Sega Channel into homes in overseas markets."

Adam Singer, President of Tele-Communications International added: "We're delighted to be able to include Sega Channel as the first dedicated games channel in our portfolio. We will go on to add new services and channels like this to our range, to increase the choice of programming for our customers."

Tele-Communications International Inc., plans to commence distribution arrangements in western Europe immediately, and expects to involve its program distribution ventures, Flextech PLC in the U.K. and Multithematiques S.A. in France, as well as other organizations, in bringing Sega Channel to new markets.

Sega Channel, which began its US rollout in December 1994, was developed by Sega of America, Inc., Tele-Communications, Inc. and Time Warner Entertainment Company L.P. and is the industry's first interactive service, providing videogames on demand, 24 hours a day. Sega Channel subscribers can choose from a wide selection of popular Sega Genesis games such as Vectorman and Earthman Jim 2, special versions of soon-to-be-released titles, gameplay tips, news, contests and promotions. The programming is updated monthly.

Tele-Communications International, Inc., trading as TINTA, is a leading operator of broadband cable television and telephony

distribution networks in, and a provider of diversified programming services to, selected markets around the world. Its parent company, Tele-Communications, Inc. (TCI), is the world's largest cable operator, with 13.5 million customers in the U.S. TINTA is a partner in ventures that provide cable services to over 2.5 million subscribers and programming to audiences totaling over 33 million, in Europe, Asia and Latin America.

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/CONTACT: Jennifer Moffie of Sega Channel, 212-767-4607; or Catherine May of Tele-Communications International Inc., 44-171-813-4000; or LaRae Marsik of TCI Communications Inc., 303-267-5277/

(TINTA)

CO: TCI Communications Inc.; Tele-Communications International, Inc.;

Sega Channel ST: Colorado IN: TLS CPR SU: PDT

TT-JL -- LATH077 -- 7369 02/15/96 17:07 EST
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