Game Show Network Speeds Interactive TV Using Web I/O Acceleration From Redline Networks
Campbell, Calif., September 18, 2002 — Game Show Network has implemented Redline Networks' T|X 2200 Web I/O Acceleration technology in support of its unprecedented weekly broadcast of over 40 hours of synch-to-broadcast interactive television (iTV).
"We had an urgent need to scale our web site to meet forecasted demand as our new shows were introduced on our network and new interactive forums were added to our web site," said Sabri Sansoy, Game Show Network's director of online and interactive technology. According to Sansoy, the launch of the iTV shows generated a 40 times increase in traffic to www.GameShowNetwork.com.
"Even in the crunch, Redline Networks' T|X 2200 Web I/O accelerator reduced download times by 40% and cut bandwidth usage by over 30%," continued Sansoy. In addition to bandwidth savings, the use of the T|X Web I/O Accelerator eliminated the need for adding more servers and associated data center equipment.
"We looked at a number of approaches to accelerate our web site. We chose the T|X 2200 Web I/O Accelerator because of its rapid payback. It doesn't just increase site capacity and performance. It saves us money. Another key selling point for Redline Networks' T|X Web I/O Accelerator was the TCP management technology. Redline Networks' appliance accelerated over ten thousand TCP connections while load balancing literally just 20-50 TCP connections to and from our live servers," said Sansoy. "Incredible as it seems, we are now able to push over 40 Mb of traffic from just two Apache servers."
Lingo, Game Show Network's Newest Interactive Hit
Lingo, hosted by Chuck Woolery, is GSN's newest hit series and a perfect example of what iTV offers. The popular word-guessing game is played similarly to the classic game of "Bingo" except that it also tests word knowledge. Viewers play along with the show in real time and have the ability to earn points by correctly identifying the same multiple-choice five letter words as the on-air contestants are guessing. Online players also have the chance to win prizes.
About Game Show Network
Game Show Network, currently seen in 47 million homes, is the premier programming service exclusively dedicated to the exciting world of games, game playing and game shows. Game Show Network is jointly owned and operated by Sony Pictures Entertainment and Liberty Media Corporation. Game Show Network offers a wide array of programming including game show favorites from its diverse library, and new interactive game shows where viewers can become contestants in their own homes. Game Show Network can be found on the World Wide Web at www.gameshownetwork.com. GSN programs the largest amount of interactive television, more than any other single network, with over 40 hours provided a week.
About Redline Networks
Redline Networks' Web I/O Acceleration appliances enable companies to significantly accelerate download times and cut bandwidth costs while increasing the transaction capacity of their existing Web infrastructure. Deployed at sites worldwide, Redline's appliances offload I/O responsibility from web servers and caches and optimize content in real-time to speed download times and deliver radically improved performance, capacity and cost savings in the data center. Redline Networks' customers typically experience a Return on Investment (ROI) of less than three months. More information about Redline Networks and its products can be found at http://www.RedlineNetworks.com or by calling +01 408 369-3800 or toll-free in the USA at (877) 550-6420.
