UltimateTV
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UltimateTV was the name of a Web site for all-things-television officially launched in May 1998 in Encino, Calif. Originally a hobby website ("TV Net") started by David Cronshaw, an engineer at KCAL-TV 9, it caught the attention of Jeff Rowe, a Vice President at NBC and JD Publishing, a publisher of TV schedules located in Wisconsin. Rowe, Cronshaw and JD developed a business plan, hiring James Lamb of Tacoma, Washington as their first employee to begin as soon as he completed college at Pacific Lutheran University.
Briefly the Web site was launched as "UTV: Your Ultimate Television Network" before United Television's lawyers sent a cease & desist letter, claiming the name to be too similar to their own, even though they admitted the name was internal and only relevant to their work as a station-ownership group and that the term UTV was not used in the marketplace. UltimateTV was best known for its work for other television networks creating official Web sites, most notably Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Dawson's Creek designed by Jon Ofstead, Art Director of Ultimate Studios(a division of UltimateTV) for Warner Brothers Television.
With Buffy the Vampire Slayer, James Lamb rose to prominence under the name TV James, shepherding a small online posting board community which ultimately grew to over 500 regular daily participants, including members of the show's cast and crew, most notably Joss Whedon. Many in that group of regular participants would go on to meet each other in person during one of several yearly parties (PBP or "Posting Board Parties") in Los Angeles or local regional gatherings of the show's fans. The posting board is credited with facilitating a number of connections which resulted in marriages between the show's fans, including Lamb and his wife Lori. The posting board software began as a free open-source perl script modified extensively by Lamb and Matt Soffen of UltimateTV. The software is in use today on The Fuselage (www.thefuselage.com), the official Web site behind the creative team for the popular TV show Lost.
In 2000, UltimateTV and parent company JD Publishing became part of The Tribune Company (owners of TV stations and newspapers nationwide) and the name was sold to Microsoft as the website was merged into other Tribune offerings under the name "Zap2it.com" where it offered an expanded look at entertainment beyond just TV.
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[edit] Microsoft Product
UltimateTV was a product that was developed by Microsoft in Mountain View, California, and it was released to the public on October 26, 2000. It was the company's second product to integrate a built in satellite tuner with a digital video recorder and an internet set-top box by using their WebTV service software to allow the user to connect to the internet. The following is a press release from Microsoft when it was released.
[edit] Press Release
The DIRECTV receiver with UltimateTV service from Microsoft puts the viewer in control of a more enjoyable TV experience. It's the only intergated product to offer DIRECTV programming, digital video recording, interactive television and Internet access all in one complete package, and it is the only satellite receiver to allow the viewer to watch two shows on DIRECTV at the same time. Also, it can record up to 35 hours of digital-quality programming for later viewing on their own "personal lineup". The viewer can choose up to 500 hours of interactive television, respond to promotions by pressing a button on the remote and they can stay in touch with family and friends via e-mail. The Advanced Program Guide can also provide the viewer with the ability to watch and record programs up to 14 days in advance.
This innovative digital video recording system can record two shows simultaneously while it maintains a full digital video and audio recording quality. The live television controls include pause, instant replay, slow motion, jump ahead, fast-forward and rewind. With the picture-in-picture feature, the viewer can watch a football game on one screen and breaking news on another.
The interactive-TV capability of UltimateTV, based on Microsoft's® TV Platform software, enables the user to find more information about a particular television program, play along with game shows, find information about a favorite television star or check on sports. Kid Friendly® technology and Surfwatch controls allow the parent to limit their children's access to both Web and television content. Integrated Internet access allow the subscriber to respond to an offer with either a button on the remote or with a quick e-mail message.
[edit] Failure in Marketplace
The UltimateTV delivered even more features than their competitors set-top boxes. It's failure in the marketplace was due to the time of its arrival. It came just after TiVo had dominated the market in the area of television recording. As of 2003, the UltimateTV receiver was no longer available for retail purchase. However, the service is still supported by DirecTV.
