Press release: 1997-01-06: Sega Channel Pushed Programming to New Heights in 1997

This is an unaltered copy of a press release, for use as a primary source on Sega Retro. Please do not edit the contents below. Language: English Original source: Game Fan (archived)

    Sega Channel Pushed Programming to New Heights in 1997

    New York - January 6, 1997 - Sega Channel announced today three significant changes to its programming plans for 1997: a new two-week rotation that will replace the current monthly schedule; the signing of a licensing agreement with Disney Interactive, and the continuation of the Prize-O-Rama promotion.

    Beginning January 17, the lineup of games offered on the Channel will change every two weeks rather than monthly, increasing the number of games from 50 to over 70 different games each month. Sega Channel subscribers will still be able to play 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the same monthly fee.

    In addition to providing "more games, more often," Sega Channel has signed a licensing agreement with Disney Interactive, to distribute via cable its top-notch titles including Aladdin, Gargoyles and Talespin. "The Disney Interactive deal provides us with strong titles that we would not otherwise have," states Michael Shorrock, vice president of programming at Sega Channel. "We firmly believe that these games will help strengthen the Channel's powerful library." Most exciting is the premiere of Maui Mallard in Cold Shadow. Shorrock believes that "this title should invoke very enthusiastic responses from our subscribers and their families since a Sega Genesis version is not currently available in the retail market."

    Based on its overwhelming success with Prize-O-Rama introduced last fall, the Channel will continue this monthly promotion into 1997. During January and February, Sega Channel subscribers will have a chance to win a Kawasaki KX80 dirt bike, a Mitsubishi 32" color TV or an Aiwa Surround Sound Home Theater system plus other great prizes.

    "From the time we launched Sega Channel, one of our objectives has been to listen to our subscribers and deliver," said Mark E. Hess, Sega Channel's vice president of sales and marketing. "Now with the two-week rotation, the titles licensed to us by Disney Interactive and the strong response to Prize-O-Rama, we believe we have moved significantly forward in our growth plans."