Open, an interactive digital satellite TV service operated by British Interactive Broadcasting Plc, has struck content deals with six new UK household brands for its online shopping service, due to start in the fourth quarter this year. Open, owned by BSkyB, British Telecommunications Plc, Hong Kong Shanghai Bank (HSBC) and Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd, will provide a cut-down internet free of charge to its digital TV subscribers. Retailers and information providers pay to have their services offered directly into subscribers’ homes.
Joining Open, which aims to have 5.5 million subscribers by 2003, are travel agent Going Places, retail bank Abbey National, Manchester United Football Club, the Press Association and the Yellow Pages. Also, WH Smith, the bookseller which launched a free ISP this week (CI No 3,626), will further its attempt to rival Amazon.com by opening a bookstore on the service. The new arrivals join about 10 other companies which have recently announced their support for Open, including several retailers, banks and advertisers.
