TIAS.com merchants will be supplying items for live interactive TV auctions that will broadcast in the New York tri-state area (New York, New Jersey and Connecticut).

Rainbow Media is a local channel providing original programming focusing on fashion, culture and lifestyle. They are currently in 4.2 million homes and recently received eight Emmy's honoring their programming. Their new program, MetroTV Auctions, is a weekly auction TV show airing on Sunday nights.

Buyers participate in a live, interactive TV auction by bidding through their PC or touch-tone telephone. Buyers name and bid appear on the television screen along with all the other bids. All lots are closed during the show.

In the week leading up to the auction, Metro TV airs a special preview program, which takes a close look at the property and auction highlights. Buyers will be able to log onto the web site www.nymetro.com and start bidding as soon as the catalog is available. Metro Auctions over the past few months have sold about 70% of the listed merchandise, with an average selling price of $650.

TIAS will begin participating in MetroTV Auctions on June 16th, beginning with a Father's Day theme. The producers are looking for quality vintage merchandise in the $200 to $1,000 range. Metro may also videotape sellers and their places of business as part of the video production for the TV auction.

There are no listing fees. All items must be pre-approved by Metro. Metro will decide which items will appear in the auction. If the item sells, Metro gets a 20% commission.

For more information, contact Phillip Davies, TIAS.com President, at phil@tias.com