--- Forwarded mail from Gleason Sackman <sackman@plains.nodak.edu>
To: net-happenings <net-happenings@is.internic.net>
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 24 May 1994 23:13:43 -0700
From: Bernardo Parrella <berny@WELL.SF.CA.US>
To: Multiple recipients of list COMMUNET <COMMUNET@uvmvm.bitnet>
Subject: ONLINE EDUCATION VENTURE.
23-MAY-1994 19:05 REUTERS, LIBERTY MEDIA IN ONLINE EDUCATION VENTURE
NEW ORLEANS, May 23 (Reuter) - Reuters NewMedia Inc and Liberty Media
Corp said Monday they signed a letter of intent to create a venture to
develop and distribute news to American classrooms and homes through an
online computer service.
The new venture, subject to certain conditions including the signing of
a definitive agreement, will be named Ingenius, the companies said.
Reuters NewMedia is a unit of Reuters Holdings PLC, the international
news and financial information services group. Liberty Media operates
cable-television systems and is a provider of satellite-delivered video
entertainment, information and home shopping programming services.
"We're looking for new markets and education looks like a promising
one," said Buford Smith, president of Reuters NewMedia. He noted there are
110,000 primary and secondary schools and 48 million children in the
kindergarten through 12th grade, according to Department of Education figures.
Gerald Bennington, chief executive officer of Ingenius, said: "It is our
plan to offer a service which will be a powerful new tool teachers can use
to actively engage students in studying world events, and which will provide
a 'living textbook' that uses modern and effective communication technology."
Bennington is also president of X-Press Information Services, which
transmits educational news and information services via X-Change, the
Liberty-owned personal computer service. X-Press delivers information over
cable systems that reach 28 million homes and 18,000 schools.
"For years, Liberty has been providing the X-Change product to schools
and homes via Tele-Communications Inc and other operators' cable lines,
reaching approximately one-half of the cable industry," said Peter
Barton, president and chief executive officer of Liberty Media.
"This venture will not only build on existing products, but provide a
host of exciting, inexpensive multimedia tools for use in the home as
well as the classroom," he added.
REUTTER
--- End of forwarded mail from Gleason Sackman <sackman@plains.nodak.edu>
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