SAN MATEO, Calif., Aug. 19, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Virage, Inc. (Nasdaq:VRGE), a leading provider of video and rich media communications software, today announced that C-SPAN is using the Virage rich media publishing system to bring sophisticated search features to the online video archives of the Booknotes television program available at Booknotes.org. Booknotes is C-SPAN's author interview television program that has served as a forum for books about history, politics and public affairs for over 13 years.
"At C-SPAN, our goal online is to use new technology to create new forms of access to our network programming. Our latest collaboration with Virage allows Booknotes.org users to search the video archives of nearly 700 author interviews. Booknotes followers can also utilize the new service to create a personal collection of favorite Booknotes video moments. This is an exciting step forward in the development of C-SPAN's online services," said Chris Long, new media director at C-SPAN.
By leveraging Virage's VS Publishing(tm) solution, Booknotes is able to extend its reach from the TV to the Internet. Each weekly Booknotes program is encoded and indexed using the Virage SmartEncode(tm) process. The content is then delivered directly to Booknotes.org in a personalized and searchable streaming format. Booknotes enthusiasts can search for specific topics and past interviews, bookmark their favorite selections, and e-mail recommended video clips to their friends. They can even watch the most recent show on the Web, in its entirety. C-SPAN leverages Virage Application Services to provide content processing services, as well as application hosting for the publishing solution.
"The newly launched features on Booknotes.org are indicative of the successful, on-going collaboration between Virage and the C-SPAN networks to increase the accessibility of video online," said Dave Girouard, senior vice president of Marketing and Strategy at Virage. "We are very happy to be working with Booknotes to provide their viewers with compelling interactive and personalized video content on Booknotes.org. Booknotes watchers will now have access to more than a decade of their favorite interviews at their finger tips."
Booknotes is C-SPAN's signature author interview program, airing Sundays at 8:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. ET. Since its debut in March 1989, it has served as a forum for books about history, politics and public affairs. C-SPAN's unedited, commercial-free format, allows for an in-depth discussion with an author distinct from other author interview programs. The format is simple: one author, one book, one hour. For a full hour every Sunday night, fifty-two weeks a year, an author discusses his or her recently released work of nonfiction. Authors may only appear on Booknotes once in their writing career.
The host of the program since its inception is C-SPAN CEO Brian Lamb. With 700 author interviews consisting of heads of state, war correspondents, biographers, scholars, generals and peacemakers, Lamb's Booknotes provides a variety of perspectives for its viewers. Guests have included Colin Powell, Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, Neil Sheehan, Martin Gilbert, Jean Strouse, Betty Friedan, Cornel West and Midge Decter.
C-SPAN, the Cable Satellite Public Affairs Network, was created by America's cable companies as a public service. C-SPAN is currently available in 87 million households. For more information about C-SPAN, visit its Web site at C-SPAN.org. For more information about Booknotes, visit Booknotes.org.
Virage Solutions
Built upon the company's award-winning rich media application platform, Virage offers four complete solutions for video and rich media communications, which include:
-- VS Publishing(tm) -- allows media & entertainment companies and
others with branded content to turn their video and other rich-
media content into compelling Internet programming.
-- VS Production(tm) -- automates and streamlines the professional
video production workflow from acquisition to distribution.
-- VS Webcasting(tm) -- gives companies a combined solution for
planning and producing interactive, live webcasts as well as on-
demand searchable events.
-- VS Learning(tm) -- allows organizations to create, manage, publish
and view rich-media training courses, online learning
applications, presentations and briefings.
About Virage
Established in 1995, Virage is a leading provider of video and rich media communication software. Virage builds integrated rich media business solutions for corporations, media & entertainment companies, universities and government agencies worldwide. Headquartered in San Mateo, California, Virage (www.virage.com) has offices throughout the United States and Europe.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking" statements about the products and services of Virage, as that term is used in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements are denoted by such words as "will now," "will allow," "intends to" and similar terms and phrases. These types of statements address matters that are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially. In addition, our forward-looking statements should be considered in the context of other risk factors discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to our annual report on Form 10-K and 10-Q filings, available online at http://www.sec.gov. All forward-looking statements are based on information available to the company on the date hereof, and the company assumes no obligation to update such statements.
Virage and VideoLogger are registered trademarks. The Virage logo, SmartEncode, Virage Solution Server, VS Webcasting, VS Learning, VS Publishing and VS Production are trademarks of Virage, Inc. Other company product and service names may be trademarks or service marks of others, and are hereby acknowledged.