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NTN's Buzztime Entertainment Inc. Launches the First Multiplayer Cable TV Game Channel in the United States
17 Jun 2002, 12:00pm ET
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/FROM PR NEWSWIRE NEW YORK 800-776-8090/
[STK] NTN
[IN] CPR MLM ENT TVN
[SU] PDT
TO BUSINESS, ENTERTAINMENT AND RADIO-TELEVISION EDITORS:

NTN's Buzztime Entertainment Inc. Launches the First Multiplayer Cable TV Game
Channel in the United States

- Following a Successful and Extensive Field Trial, the BUZZTIME(R) Trivia
Channel is Now Available to All Susquehanna Communications' Digital Cable
Subscribers in York, Pa. -

CARLSBAD, Calif, and YORK, Pa., June 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Buzztime
Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of NTN Communications, Inc. (AMEX:NTN) and a
leading developer and distributor of real-time interactive television
entertainment programming, and Susquehanna Communications (SusCom), a top-20
cable operator (MSO), today announced the commercial launch of the BUZZTIME(R)
trivia channel to 100% of the 16,000 SusCom digital cable subscribers in York,
Pa. The launch follows an extensive and successful field trial in York on
SusCom and makes the BUZZTIME trivia channel the first consumer iTV game
channel to enable real-time multiplayer competitions on digital set top boxes
in the United States.
SusCom digital cable customers in York are the first to play along on
BUZZTIME's six made-for-iTV game channels. As of June 10, 2002, customers can
tune into the BUZZTIME channel which is the first listing in their on-screen
interactive program guide (IPG), and participate in the multiplayer game
channels that enable real-time competition with subscribers across the street,
across town, and eventually, across the country.
"The commercial launch of BUZZTIME with SusCom marks a new phase of the
interactive television evolution for cable operators and digital cable
customers across the country," said Tyrone Lam, president and COO, Buzztime
Entertainment. "For the first time, digital subscribers can use their existing
digital set top box and remote control to play and compete against other
homes. With this first consumer launch underway, we are hoping to move
forward with other cable operators to explore all the possibilities that come
with opening the iTV gateway."
"Customer response to BUZZTIME has been extremely positive throughout the
recent marketing and technical trial," stated Mitch Piskur, general manager,
SusCom. "We strongly believe that the BUZZTIME channel will enhance the value
of our digital service."
SusCom digital customers in York need only their existing Scientific-
Atlanta Explorer(R) digital set top box and remote control to play along on
BUZZTIME. The channel features the same great content -- live play-along
trivia games for players of all interests and ability levels -- that already
entertains millions of consumers each month on the NTN Network in
approximately 3,600 restaurants and sports bars in North America.
SusCom will pay Buzztime a monthly license fee for carriage of the
BUZZTIME channel to all SusCom digital subscribers. Buzztime intends, as
distribution grows, to obtain additional revenues via premium fees for
competitions and prizes from players and from advertisers and sponsors.
"We are thrilled to be at the forefront of television programming with our
decision to include BUZZTIME as a new product offering to our digital cable
households," said Dan Templin, vice president, programming and marketing,
SusCom.
Added Michael Fleming, chairman of Buzztime Entertainment: "Achieving
multiplayer gaming on digital set top boxes has been a goal of game providers,
cable operators and satellite distributors for some years. This is a momentous
event for SusCom, Buzztime, NTN and the iTV industry. This launch will be seen
years from now as the inflection point that initiated the next generation of
viewer controlled digital television."
BUZZTIME features six channels of play-along trivia games for players of
all interests and ability levels with real-time competition and rankings among
households. BUZZTIME game play categories include TV Trivia, History Trivia,
Kids Only Trivia(TM), Music Trivia, Sports Trivia(TM) and Countdown(R) -- the
longest running interactive trivia game in the world. BUZZTIME trivia games
are distributed simultaneously to all subscribers in a cable system to create
a unique, one-of-a-kind connected user experience.
Dan Sweeney, senior vice president, distribution, Buzztime Entertainment
said, "SusCom has seen the value of our unique game channel with its connected
user experience through real-time competitions across cable households. We're
ready to communicate our success in York to other cable operators who are
looking to distinguish themselves from the competition through BUZZTIME's
fresh, fun content and the many cross-promotional and marketing opportunities
the multiplayer competition and local NTN Network connection present."
Susquehanna Communications (SusCom) is a recognized leader in the delivery
of cable television and other broadband digital telecommunications services
with exceptional customer care. The York, Pa.-based, privately-held company
operates networks in Pennsylvania, Maine, Mississippi, Illinois and Indiana
serving 200,000 customers. SusCom ranks among the top 20 cable companies in
the U.S.

Buzztime Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of NTN Communications, Inc.
(AMEX:NTN), is a leading developer and distributor of interactive television
entertainment programming. Buzztime Entertainment Inc. develops the
BUZZTIME(R) channel, the only 24-hour play-along entertainment broadcast
created exclusively for interactive television audiences. It features six
channels of trivia games for players of all interests and ability levels with
massive, multiplayer competition and rankings among households. The company
owns the world's largest database of iTV trivia questions and operates an
interactive broadcast studio where it produces multiplayer trivia game shows,
live sports prediction games -- such as QB1(R) Predict the Play(TM) football
-- and live viewer polling across iTV, mobile and PC platforms. With
investment from Scientific-Atlanta, Inc., Buzztime Entertainment has
partnerships with NTN Communications, Inc., Liberate Technologies, Microsoft
Corporation and the National Football League, and has worked with companies
such as AT&T Broadband, Yahoo!, Fox Sports, EA.com, Nickelodeon and the
National Hockey League. Established in 1999, Buzztime Entertainment's
interactive television studio and broadcast operations center are
headquartered in Carlsbad, California. The company website is located at
http://www.buzztime.com.

This release contains forward-looking statements, including statements
relating to the development of the BUZZTIME channel for distribution by
Susquehanna Communication to its digital cable subscribers', accessibility to
Scientific-Atlanta set top boxes, the attractiveness of the BUZZTIME channel
for customers and cable operators, future plans for content on the BUZZTIME
channel, and future services, which are subject to risks and uncertainties
including changing economic conditions, product demand and market acceptance,
technological barriers, the impact of competitive products and pricing, and
other factors detailed in the Securities and Exchange Commission filings of
NTN Communications, Inc., including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2001. NTN and Buzztime Entertainment disclaim
any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise.