TULSA, Okla. (Sept. 17, 2007) - Six weeks prior to the launch of Auction Network, the first-ever television network devoted to the auction industry, executives revealed plans to partner with heavy hitters in the media and technology fields. Among other key players, the network has called upon OpenTV Corp. - the leading provider of solutions for the delivery of advanced digital television and cross-platform interactive services widely adopted by broadcasters, operators, and device manufacturers - to create and support technology needed to fuel a successful online launch in late October.

OpenTV (www.opentv.com), whose software powers digital TV boxes around the world, enabling program guides, personal video recording, video-on-demand, and high-definition capability on television screens is providing its enterprise solution, OpenTV Participate. Auction Network's alignment with OpenTV and related agreement with LuJohns Enterprises Inc. (www.lujohnsenterprises.com and www.biddercentral.com), will allow the network to support viewer participation in live auctions, with global bidding tallied instantly and a single account for customers across all platforms.

"Since 70 million people take part in auctions every year, we know consumer interest in the network will be high," said Fontana Fitzwilson, general manager of Auction Network. "This convergence of partners positions us to ensure those consumers will have the highest quality, innovative network at their fingertips."

Filming programs from Vegas to Milan to South Africa, Auction Network will rely on Multicast Media Technologies' flexibility and broadcast expertise to handle video management and delivery. Multicast (www.multicastmedia.com) offers a comprehensive publishing system designed to manage, monetize and measure targeted Internet TV channels and streaming video libraries. Since 2000, Multicast has reinvented the process of live Internet broadcasting, delivering over 3,500 live broadcasts each month from across the globe.

Since the programming will first launch as an Internet network, Auction Network called upon the experts at Global Media Services (www.globalmediaservices.net) to manage the technical development of the Web site (www.auctionnetwork.tv). Global Media Services helps corporations generate revenue from live and on-demand video streaming applications through a vast portfolio of professional services, including Portal Development, ad insertion, pay-per-view, syndication, digital rights management, content management and transaction processing and clearing.

Auction Network will maintain its cutting-edge creative brand and content with the help of Heroic (www.beheroic.tv), a creative and marketing collective that includes veteran branding agency 3 Ring Circus and The Marketing Division. Representing ad sales is National Ad Force (www.nationaladforce.com), a strategic sales organization based in Chicago.

Also joining the Auction Network team is vice president of production and programming, Scott Withers. Withers began his TV career as a writer, producer and correspondent at CNN, and brings extensive experience to the network, having helped launch Q Television Network.

"The fast-paced and high-energy content of Auction Network's programming really drew me in," said Withers. "That, plus the chance to work with CEO Pam McKissick, Fontana Fitzwilson and the other driving forces behind the successful launch of TV Guide Network."

Scheduled to launch on www.auctionnetwork.tv in late October 2007, Auction Network programming will run the gamut from features on Thoroughbred horse sales to exceptional wine auctions and everything in between. Auction Network is led by CEO Pam McKissick, former president and COO of TV Guide Networks. The host of the network is Tava Smiley, of "General Hospital" and E! network fame.

For more information, visit www.auctionnetwork.tv.