Television
May 10, 2000
Kids’ WB! And Sony Pictures Family Entertainment Group Join Forces With Rotor To Make Internet History
(May 10, 2000 – Burbank, CA) – Kids’ WB! and Sony Pictures Family Entertainment Group (SPFE) join forces with Rotor, a pioneer in state-of-the-art interactive technology, to produce the first-ever real-time animated interactive experience on Friday May 19 (live at 5:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific times). This groundbreaking live internet event will feature the lead character of the adrenaline-packed 3D CGI animated series “Max Steel” in an on-line interactive session. The session will include real-time streaming animation, a behind-the-scenes tour of N-TEK, the series’ top-secret corporation, and the opportunity for viewers to participate by helping guide the experience. The announcement was made by Dave Doré and Betsy McGowen, Vice Presidents, Marketing, Kids’ WB!; David Palmer, Vice President, Marketing, Sony Pictures Family Entertainment; and Adam Tyler, Vice President, Rotor.
By logging on to www.kidswb.com, kids will be able to access the internet’s first live-event audio/visual enabled player, the cutting edge Rotor Player™, to participate in this exciting 30-minute internet experience with international secret agent Max Steel, using real-time streaming animation. The event will give kids the opportunity to interact by guiding the action, asking Max questions and having them answered in real time. In addition, the on-line session will include a thrilling behind-the-scenes tour of N-TEK, the super-secret international organization in “Max Steel” that appears on the surface to be an extreme sports conglomerate.
This unprecedented internet event will be promoted on-air during May sweeps on Kids’ WB!, including a special airing of an all-new “Max Steel” episode on Friday, May 19, (4:30p.m. ET/PT) to kick-off the event. This original episode, “Sabres,” shoots Max and Jake Nez out into orbit to salvage the N-Tek Sabre space station which has been sabotaged by Psycho and Vitriol in an effort to destroy N-Tek and all of Del Oro Bay! While Max is out protecting the world, there may be a little star sparkling between Josh’s best friend, Pete, and girlfriend, Laura.
“This event is an integral part of Kids’ WB!'s plan to advance our brand on-line in unique ways. We are always looking for emerging technologies to help enrich viewers' interaction with the network both online and on-air," said Doré. "’Max Steel’ is the perfect property to bring to this new and exciting platform, and we think kids will really enjoy the experience," added McGowen.
“We are excited to introduce this innovative technology in a platform that gives kids total control to interact with their newest and greatest superhero, ‘Max Steel,’” said Palmer. “The groundbreaking event will allow viewers one-on-one interaction with Max and extend the TV experience. We believe this is a positive step in getting kids interested in the Internet and allowing them to explore their own creativity.”
“We’re excited that Kids’ WB! and SPFE are using the Rotor System to bring this innovative ‘Max Steel’ program to online audiences,” said David Goldhill, President and CEO of Rotor. “The Rotor System enables entertainment companies to create events that allow large numbers of viewers to actively take part in live broadcasts, engaging the audience in a new form of programming that could only happen on the Internet.”
The interactive session will utilize the technology of Rotor. A client server environment, the Rotor Studio System houses a suite of production tools that drives and controls the Rotor Player, the Internet’s first live-event audio/video enabled player. This unique technology allows audience members to become participants in the program in a variety of ways, including live polls; trivia quizzes, talking to a host and chat rooms to allow the audience to talk about a show among themselves, and much more.
Airing on Kids’ WB!’s Saturday morning lineup, “Max Steel” is a half-hour animated-adventure that follows extreme sports enthusiast and college student, 19-year old Josh McGrath, a.k.a. Max Steel. Accidentally infused with experimental Nano-tech probes, Josh was transformed into Max Steel, a bionic super agent, who must defend the world from ruthless enemies.
Kids’ WB! is #1 in children's television. Season-to-date, Kids’ WB! is the market leader among all Saturday morning broadcast and cable competitors in the key demographics of Kids 2-11, Kids 6-11, Boys 2-11 and Boys 6-11.
Sony Pictures Family Entertainment Group (SPFE), established in February ‘99, produces traditional cel animation, CGI and live-action properties for television and theatrical release around the world.
Based in Los Angeles, Rotor develops and markets the Rotor System, a groundbreaking new service that allows for the creation and large-scale distribution of live, online, interactive broadcasts. By enabling viewers to actively influence and participate in the programs, Rotor’s service will stimulate the development of a broad range of new entertainment opportunities and audiences on the internet. For more information and live demonstrations, visit www.rotor.net. # # #