The services will give customers greater choice over what they watch, whether it be choosing alternative video streams, playing games or voting, all from the comfort of their own homes.
The new applications will be accessed by simply pressing the red button on the digital remote control and include the following:
On the BBC
Viewers will be able to use a variety of enhanced television and interactive services associated with specific BBC events over the summer including Wimbledon, Open Golf, the Proms and World Athletics.
Additional content, available through BBCi interactive service in the Telewest "walled garden", includes event information, message boards and voting where appropriate. For example, viewers will also be able to watch 'Restoration', where they will be able to vote to save one of 30 historic buildings throughout the UK which are at risk of dereliction.
On Channel 4 and 'Big Brother 4'
Probably the biggest programme of the summer. Viewers watching 'Big Brother' on E4 will be able to keep up with all the latest news and gossip via live video streams and an information ticker, plus the ability to vote to evict a housemate each week.
In addition, Channel 4 viewers will be able to access programme information, vote, and play games via a new interactive service menu.
On the Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network has launched the first interactive games portal accessed from the broadcast stream via the red button on UK cable. It debuts with 'The Powerpuff Girls' and will be followed by 'Tom and Jerry', with further games added in the coming months.
Gavin Patterson, managing director at the consumer division of Telewest Broadband, said: "These new services illustrate that watching television is no longer just a linear experience. Interactivity is now part of the whole package, which offers our customers more choice and an overall improved viewing experience. We expect further interactive enhancements to follow throughout the year."
The developments follow on from the interactive enhancements available during the Chelsea Flower Show, UEFA Cup, FA Cup and the FA Cup Final. BBCi will continue to offer Telewest Broadband viewers interactive applications for live football events on the BBC, such as England vs Slovakia on June 11.
Enhanced TV programming launched on the Telewest Broadband platform on June 1 2002, in time for events such as the World Cup and 'Big Brother 3' in conjunction with BBCi and Channel 4.
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