Zone4Play a leading developer and provider of multi-platform interactive game applications and solutions for interactive TV (iTV), cellular networks and Internet, announced that it has signed an agreement with The Gaming Channel Limited (TGC), a UK-based gaming operator, to launch its new multi-player iTV game, Texas Hold'em Poker, on the TGC-owned Avago television channel. It is expected that the game will launch by the end of 2004.

Avago, an award-winning and industry-leading gaming channel, which broadcasts in the UK on the Sky Digital satellite platform owned by BSkyB will launch Zone4Play's multi-player Texas Hold'em Poker game as part of its play-for-fun package. Zone4Play expects that its play-for-fun Multi-Player Texas Hold'em will be the first interactive poker game available on iTV in the UK to allow for simultaneous betting by thousands of players. Like its Internet counterparts, this exciting game brings all the thrill of a real card hall to iTV subscribers - super-fast pace, inter-player competition and camaraderie.

Features include a sophisticated tournament platform, which supports simultaneous multi-player gaming through a complex, table capacity management system. The game includes elements for community enhancement, based on a Zone4Play's proprietary consolidation server. This will transform the iTV experience by allowing the players to communicate and interact with each other. The game will be played according to customary game rules.

Idan Miller, Vice President of marketing and sales for Zone4Play, commented, "Our close relationship with Avago has helped us develop the first ever multi-player poker game for iTV.

"Poker is the fastest growing game on the Internet and we strongly believe that iTV users will happily adopt the game.

"Zone4Play's technology platform successfully translates game concepts effectively implemented over the Internet to a live at-home playing experience, while overcoming the limitations of the iTV platforms.

"We believe that Texas Hold'em Poker will provide existing Avago players with a ground-braking experience while helping to generate new revenues for TGC and Zone4Play."

Damian Cope, Managing Director for The Gaming Channel, added, "We are pleased to be working with Zone4Play on this exciting development. Today the game of poker is the focus of some considerable attention worldwide and we hope to achieve another first for Avago by launching an iTV version of this popular product."