New Brunswick’s Aliant, the result of a merger of Atlantic Canada’s telecommunications holding companies, is launching an interactive television service delivered commercially by member company NBTel.

According to Aliant, VibeVision is the first interactive tv service to be commercially delivered by a telco in North America.

Currently licensed by the crtc to serve Moncton and Saint John, n.b., the service is providing interactive info and entertainment, some of which will have a local flavor. According to an Aliant spokesperson, the information component involves e-mail and Internet capabilities, which include a special community-focused website where New Brunswick residents can play programmer, inserting their personal programming (an example used was a videotaped peewee soccer game). The entertainment component features a digital tv service, complete with pay-per-view access, video-on-demand and channel packages.

VibeVision launches Jan. 24 in Moncton.