LONDON -- Demon today announced it has been chosen by Sky Interactive as the first hosting provider for its new interactive TV portal. The new service will enable Sky customers to access a range of Internet services that have been adapted specifically for television.

The portal, due to be launched later this year, will provide another distribution channel for Internet content and enable website operators to have a presence on interactive TV. With a potential audience of 20 million users in Sky households, this is a fantastic opportunity for the business community to promote their company and services - in a cost effective manner. The Demon Web Hosting platform has been enhanced to automatically enable interoperability with interactive TV and support sites that will be available via the Sky portal.

As Sky's first approved hosting provider, Demon will provide a flexible, secure, reliable and cost-effective way for customers to receive website content on TV. Using this portal, Sky aims to attract new entrants to interactive TV and stimulate further innovation . With 10 million viewers already accessing Sky's interactive services each month, the portal will provide significant new revenue opportunities for companies interested in service delivery to non-PC devices, offering an new route to market for brands wanting to reach a wider audience.

Organisations already using the Demon service for hosting their websites will be advised that they can make their site available to Sky users with no upfront charge. Sky will recommend the Demon Web Hosting service to customers for hosting their sites on the new portal. Organisations can buy a commercial Demon Hosting package that works on the Sky portal, from as little as £11.75 per month including VAT.

Ian Valentine, Technical Alliances Director at Sky Interactive, explained: "By creating this interactive television portal we are allowing a diverse range of businesses and other organisations to deliver their content to a larger audience and attract new customers. Demon is one of the most respected brands in the industry and we are delighted to be able to recommend a trusted hosting provider to businesses wanting to use our newportal."

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