Thanks to CD-i member Mini we can have a close look at the 1995 french CD-i package 'Le Journal Interactif 1995' which was bundled with 'Le Jeu des Stars de L'info', a french exclusive quiz and tv-show. In 1994 and 1995, in The Netherlands we had the video titles about 'This was the news', a compilation of what happened that year in video format, exclusively on CD-i and CD-ROM by Philips Media. 1994 and 1995 were the most profitable years to experiment with it, apparently. The same counts for France, where TF1 published two interactive journals in video format on CD-i: Le Journal Interactif 1994 and 1995. This one, in 1995, was bundled with another french exclusive: Le Jeu des Stars de L'info, a tv-show that is more like a quiz, testing your knowledge on the news, starring french people that you will probably recognize when you are a french citizen.
Philips Media France and TF1 signed a deal to produce low-priced bundles exclusively for the French people. For Philips it was a great way to promote its Digital Video capabilities. After the 1994 version of "Le Journal" they produced a follow-up in 1995. This was mainly due to the contract, but the titles were also profitable enough to develop. TF1 realized the Journal titles were easily to produce, with almost no costs, because the material was already available. The engine was supported by Philips so the title was done within three months.
From the disc: "Interactive television finally within the reach of all. Consult the Journal of the Year 1995 according to your wishes thanks to the more than one hour of full screen video: all the strong images of TF1 news. The great journalists of the chain present this year 1995 and accompany you to better understand the news.A great family game made in full screen video! From 1 to 4 players, 150 reports, more than 750 questions and the surprises of Clair Chazal, Jean-Pierre Pernaut, Roland Thierry, Roger Zabel, Michel Chevalet …"
The material was originally filmed by reporter Henri Chambon, whose contacts were broad enough for a total view on the news in France in 1994 and 1995. The limitation of one reporter was due to copyrights (money) so it happened certain small news aspects didn't reach the disc content!
With Philips stepping out of the CD-i business in 1996, there was no option for "Le Journal Interactif 1996". TF1 didn't want to carry the costs so stepped away from CD-i (a little contradiction I believe because the costs were very low; it looks like a change in strategy). The Multimedia division put its money in Titus, instead of producing more CD-i titles via TF1 Enterprises. In 1996, TF1 owned 7% of Titus. And with this another CD-i secret is uncovered: Now I know who was behind the french game "L'Affair Morlov": TF1
While "TF1 Enterprises" was responsible for multimedia programs on CD-i, the sister company "TF1 Video" was also in co-operation with Philips Media France to produce Video-CD's for Philips. It was Thierry Lhermitte who opted for a game license of "Indien dans la Ville". The video was already on two discs and a lot of disc space was left behind. The game version was stored in the second disc of the Video-CD version.
French broadcasting company TF1 had a seperate multimedia division: TF1 Enterprises. Olivier Raoul was the project leader behind “Le Journal Interactif 1994”, “Le Journal Interactif 1995” and a regional french game “Un Indien dans la Ville” (The movie in english was called "Little Indian, Big City"), derived from the TF1 movie with the same name. CD-i was very popular with new innovative marketing ideas to bring the product to the livingroom. With CD-ROM, the way how TF1 published their multimedia titles before, this was not possible, the mainstream people were not reached and it was not user-friendly. In addition Philips funded the CD-i with a lot of projects, so the choice for CD-i was born really fast. Philips offered help how to develop for CD-i (a word that sounds new to me!), this was totally different with CD-ROM.
The Full motion Video was a good way to present the TF1 feeling. In the end, TF1 is a broadcasting company and FMV was the ultimate way to share their products. CD-i was meant for the mass, Philips even had the ambition sell 200.000 CD-i players in France alone and over 2 million units worldwide.
Philips Media France and TF1 signed a deal to produce low-priced bundles exclusively for the French people. For Philips it was a great way to promote its Digital Video capabilities. After the 1994 version of "Le Journal" they produced a follow-up in 1995. This was mainly due to the contract, but the titles were also profitable enough to develop. TF1 realized the Journal titles were easily to produce, with almost no costs, because the material was already available. The engine was supported by Philips so the title was done within three months.
The material was originally filmed by reporter Henri Chambon, whose contacts were broad enough for a total view on the news in France in 1994 and 1995. The limitation of one reporter was due to copyrights (money) so it happened certain small news aspects didn't reach the disc content!
[Thanks, Mini]