Disney-ABC-owned sports programmer, ESPN, and EchoStar have launched an OpenTV-built interactive TV service on the latter’s DISH Network satellite TV platform to accompany ESPN’s coverage of the upcoming Indianapolis 500 auto race (takes place May 28th at 1:00PM). The service, which is called "ESPN Interactive Indy," and which is located on DISH Network’s interactive TV portal, DishHOME (channel 100), consists of two applications: 1) a mosaic app, which will be available on race day and which will offer viewers six live in-car camera feeds, each of which can be clicked on for viewing in full-screen mode; and 2) an informational app, which launched yesterday, and which provides viewers with an interactive menu, from which they can access statistics, information on start positions, driver biographies, information on race customs, such as the origin of the Indy 500 Milk tradition, IRL standings, and the 2006 IRL season schedule. The latter app currently allows viewers to watch the ESPNEWS channel in quarter-screen mode: on race day, the app’s quarter-screen display will be devoted to one of the in-car cameras.
ESPN Interactive Indy is sponsored by Capital One, the presenting sponsor of ABC’s Indianapolis 500 telecast. The company will have a dynamic ad banner on the screen for the duration of the race: viewers will be able to select the banner to access information on Capital One product offerings and promotions. "We continue to pioneer the digital space for our advertisers," Ed Erhardt, president of ESPN/ABC Sports customer marketing and sales, said in a prepared statement. "This is the first of many more ITV applications to come."
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