While several U.S.-based travel companies, from Worldspan to USA Networks, ready interactive television applications, Lastminute.com, the U.K.-based distressed inventory site, appears to be getting in on the action first.

LastMinute.com will team with live auction TV channel Bid-up.tv to auction holiday packages during a four-week trial beginning Jan. 28.

The companies were to broadcast the minimum bid and estimated selling price on the channel (available on Sky Digital, NTL and Telewest Broadband).

Consumers could then bid for the packages over the phone or through the Web site at www.bid-up.tv.com.

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