LOS ANGELES, CA and JERICHO, NY -March, 19, 2001 — Bringing the convergence of television and the Internet one step closer together, ibidlive.tv has joined with AMERICAN MOVIE CLASSICS to create and air the network’s first live, Internet-enabled, televised auction. ibidlive’s first auction on AMERICAN MOVIE CLASSICS will feature memorabilia from Hollywood’s greatest leading men, in support of AMC’S upcoming Film Preservation festival featuring the films of John Wayne. The auction is slated to air on July 12, 2001 and is an AMC Original Production. Proceeds from this auction will benefit The Film Foundation, an organization headed by esteemed director Martin Scorsese that funds seven member archives dedicated to film preservation.
ibidlive.tv, a leader in the arena of the convergence of television programming and the Internet, possesses proprietary technology that enables ibidlive-enhanced productions to have real time bidding from the audience at home. The upcoming auction with AMERICAN MOVIE CLASSICS will feature memorabilia and related lots from some of the Hollywood’s best-known leading men. The auction will be held in either Los Angeles or New York City. Participation is open to anyone with an Internet connection and the auction will be featured in real time on AMERICAN MOVIE CLASSICS.
Kate McEnroe, President, AMC Networks, said: “As we continue to explore new and innovative ways to carry the AMC brand to multiple platforms, and to bring a broader audience to classic movies, we are delighted to be able to present an exciting original programming event with an internet component.”
“We are thrilled that AMERICAN MOVIE CLASSICS will be delivering the live auction programming of ibidlive.tv. In the same way that their viewers are able to connect great classic movies and the stories behind them, ibidlive brings their audience the future of interactive television