TVover.net

Sony Adds Netflix to Bravia Internet Video Platform

TVover.net — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:01:25 GMT

Netflix, Demand Media, and ON Networks are the latest content providers to join Sony's BRAVIA Internet Video platform. In the fall of 2009, Netflix members will be able to instantly watch more than 12,000 movies and TV episodes on Sony BRAVIA Internet Video-capable HDTVs and on previous BRAVIA models compatible with Sony's BRAVIA Internet Video Link module.

With BRAVIA Internet Video-capable HDTVs, users can enjoy access to one of the largest collections of premium and free on-demand entertainment directly on their HDTV. By connecting the TV to their existing broadband connection, users can access online video, music, and content from over 25 providers including Amazon Video On Demand, YouTube, Sports Illustrated, Sony Pictures, Crackle, Slacker, Epicurious.com, Concierge.com, Style.com, and Dailymotion.

Movies and TV episodes from Netflix can be watched instantly on Sony's BRAVIA Internet Video-capable HDTVs through a Queue-based user interface. Netflix members can add movies and TV episodes to their instant Queues on the Netflix Web site. Those choices will then be automatically displayed when a user selects Netflix on the BRAVIA Internet Video platform.

Demand Media recently launched content on the BRAVIA Internet Video platform from its wholly-owned Web sites including Golflink.com, LIVESTRONG.COM, and eHow.com.

GolfLink provides hundreds of its valuable instructional golf videos from world class coaches like Hank Haney and Jim McLean, as well as hole-by-hole golf course flyovers, both of which help viewers to prepare and improve their game.

LIVESTRONG.COM was created in partnership with the Lance Armstrong Foundation, and is home to 1.5 million registered members who share a passion to lead a healthy, active lifestyle. The channel offers hundreds of videos from topics such as healthy food choices and treating injuries to instructional videos on sports and fitness.

eHow is a leading how-to resource with a thriving online community dedicated to providing people with the ability to research, share, and discuss solutions for life's everyday projects. eHow brings thousands of instructional, professional, and high-definition videos to the BRAVIA Internet Video platform.

ON Networks has recently delivered three original digital series to the BRAVIA service including Golf Tips, Play Value, and Beautiful Places. Golf Tips features PGA professional golf instructor Joe Beck guiding viewers to the ultimate golf learning experience. Play Value offers a unique glimpse into the strange and exciting saga behind the last 30 years of gaming. Beautiful Places takes viewers on a high-definition visual journey to watch the sunrise over spectacular vistas and experience panoramic views from high peaks.

Report: Video On-Demand Server Revenue Tripling by 2013

TVover.net — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:53:44 GMT

Infonetics Research releases the 1Q09 edition of its IPTV and Switched Digital Video Equipment, Services, and Subscribers report. Highlights follow. "All eyes are focused on video on-demand and streaming content servers as more and more programming moves to on-demand. VoD is rapidly becoming EoD (everything on-demand) as operators beef up their streaming server capacity to support not only HD VoD, but network and RS-DVR services, targeted advertising, and start-over services, all of which will become standard features for video providers. These changes will lead revenue for VoD and streaming content servers to triple between 2008 and 2013," said Jeff Heynen, Infonetics Research's Directing Analyst, Broadband and Video.

REPORT HIGHLIGHTS

Service providers and cable operators paused spending on IPTV and switched digital video equipment in 1Q09, pushing worldwide sales down 11% sequentially to $1.0 billion
- The pause in spending was caused mainly by macroeconomic conditions and a slowdown in AT&T U-Verse IPTV rollouts and Comcast SDV rollouts
- The only world region to see growth in IPTV and SDV revenue in 1Q09 was Central and Latin America
Year-over-year (from 1Q08 to 1Q09), worldwide vendor revenue for all IPTV and SDV equipment segments are in positive territory, from holding steady (IP video encoders) to explosive growth (universal edge QAMs)
The overall market is expected to grow at a healthy pace over the next 4 quarters as service providers roll out new IPTV networks or expand existing networks and cable MSOs introduce switched video capabilities into their digital TV networks
VoD servers are quickly transforming from solid-state based, centralized devices connected to a master storage library, to cheaper, flash-based memory in a switched architecture, led by BigBand, Cisco, Motorola, and Verivue
The number of pure and hybrid IPTV subscribers more than doubled in 2008 to 26 million worldwide, and is expected to surge to 155 million by 2013
IP set-top box vendor revenue is forecast to grow at an average of 14% annually between 2008 and 2013
By 2013, telco service providers are expected to derive about $56 billion worldwide from IPTV services (not including mobile IPTV services)

KIT digital Reports on Recent Client Wins

TVover.net — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 19:33:58 GMT

KIT digital continues its strong organic growth by adding a number of globally recognized brands to its customer list in the first half of 2009. The company has expanded its client reach in each of its three regional coverage areas, Asia-Pacific and the Americas) with the addition of brands like PMT and MSN, Tabcorp (Asia-Pacific) and Citadel Broadcasting (the Americas). The new business includes deployments across a variety of industry verticals and consumer "screens" (browser, mobile handset, IPTV-enabled television set), demonstrating the company's device-agnostic approach and the breadth of functionality available through the KIT VX Video Management Platform.

The KIT VX end-to-end technology platform helps corporations and governments leverage video content and video-based marketing online, on mobile devices and on Internet-enabled television sets. KIT VX is also used for corporate video deployments, helping clients save money by deploying IP video solutions in lieu of traditional satellite or closed-circuit systems in areas like corporate communications, information kiosks, human resources and training, and security/surveillance.

Selected new client wins during the first half of 2009, where in many instances KIT digital was selected in a competitive RFP process, include:

Europe, Middle East & Africa

MSN Europe, one of the leading online portals, engaged KIT digital to provision high quality, repurposed and localized IP video content, using KIT digital's content localization facility in Cairo;
PMT Video, a major IP video initiative in the Russian marketplace, selected the KIT VX digital asset management system to provide a new service for the Russian consumer: video-on-demand in the home with targeted content and advertising on an open-network IPTV set-top-box;
The municipal government of a leading European capital city engaged KIT digital to use IP video led elements to promote tourism, including 3D cinema, computer games, and themed kiosks. The deployment has already received the Gloria Musaealis award for digitalization;
Multimedialne Centrum Bratislava selected KIT VX as the basis for a special multimedia classroom roll-out, utilizing IP video, audio, graphics, internet and traditional broadcast in the learning process.

Asia-Pacific

Sky Racing, a division of Tabcorp (one of the world's largest publicly listed gaming companies), chose KIT digital to deliver live and on-demand racing channels via the Internet, through a custom interface;
Yellow, a division of Sensis and Asia's largest classified and business listing publisher, selected the KIT VX platform to ingest, filter and curate UGC video listings across the many thousands of Yellow advertisers;
A major private health insurance brand selected KIT digital for an online video solution;
Leading Australian tourism operator Spirit of Tasmania appointed KIT digital to manage future online and mobile video marketing applications through its KIT VX asset management system.

The Americas

Citadel Broadcasting, the second-largest radio network in the USA, chose the KIT VX digital asset management module for its network of over 220 sites for a further two years, citing the suitability of the KIT VX platform for multi-point publishing as a key differentiator;
blinkx, the leading online video search engine, engaged with KIT digital in a major partnership. The deal allows KIT digital to access the blinkx technology and offer it to clients as part of the KIT VX platform. In turn, blinkx uses KIT VX as a technology backbone for the management and delivery of IP video;
Mio.tv, a new video-led web portal for the Hispanic community in the U.S., engaged KIT digital to develop a strategy and treatments that facilitated a number of different video-viewing experiences, along with social networking interactions aligned to the video experience;
The New York Post reappointed KIT digital as a video technology partner for an additional two years, citing KIT digital's product development roadmap, and opportunities for customization of the solution as key competitive differentiators.

Michael Jackson Memorial Service Live Online

TVover.net — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:38:06 GMT

Fans who weren't able to win one of the 17,500 lottery-distributed tickets to Michael Jackson's memorial service and funeral in Los Angeles, will be able to watch the memorial service live online on the major television network sites. The service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Pacific time (1 p.m. Eastern) and police expect more than 250,000 people to cram onto the sidewalks outside the arena to pay their final respects to the King of Pop.

Some of the biggest names in pop music, sports and politics are expected to take part in the memorial service, including Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Mariah Carey, Usher, Lionel Richie, Jennifer Hudson, John Mayer, Civil rights leader Al Sharpton and Martin Luther King III, basketball stars Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant.

Watch here.

Keisense and DiviNet Partner Deliver Interactive TV Service

TVover.net — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:14:24 GMT

DiviNet and Keisense announce the successful integration of Keisense's ConnecTiVi into DiviNet's IPTV network. The combined solution will enable a range of interactive services over legacy television sets. DiviNet Access Technologies Limited provides an End-to End IPTV solution. A consortium, of DiviNet, WICE Net and MKCL, is providing IPTV services on the BSNL's Broadband network, and are providing IPTV services in 21 cities covering 5 states in India.

WICE Net Limited, the operations partner of DiviNet, has also deployed IPTV solution in Ghana, on Vodafone Ghana network.

DiviNet's solution now includes Keisense's user interface platform to enable the service provider to develop and deploy powerful interactive applications. Currently the solution is available on WiceBox, DiviNet's IPTV set top platform. In the future, the framework will support other Cable TV and DTH platforms as well.

DiviNet and Keisense are planning to introduce community chat and messaging services around popular TV shows as a pilot service to WICE Net's existing customer base. In addition, the companies are jointly designing new search and interactive reality TV applications that will generate new revenue streams for IPTV service providers and cable operators.

Report: IPTV in Asia/Pacific - Profit Picture Fuzzy, But Momentum Building Analyzes the Challenges Facing IPTV Providers

TVover.net — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:10:13 GMT

Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Asia-Pacific Telecom Insider / Vol. 1, No 3, Edition 6 - IPTV in Asia-Pacific: Profit Picture Fuzzy, but Momentum Building" report to their offering. Despite the massive investments necessary in Asia/Pacific's IPTV market, both in technology and content procurement, telecom operators must invest to gain subscriber market share according to a new report.

IPTV in Asia/Pacific: Profit Picture Fuzzy, but Momentum Building analyzes the challenges facing IPTV providers and looks at the key drivers behind service rollouts in Asia/Pacific. The 13-page report includes two case studies focusing on Hong Kong and South Korea, providing insights into the different strategies used by operators in each market to gain a foothold in the highly competitive broadcasting space.

Media Forecasts are also available for 14 markets in Asia/Pacific and provide competitive intelligence on the pay-TV and mobile TV dynamics, market share information at both the technology and operator levels, and five-year adoption and revenue projections.

Although Asia/Pacific has the distinction of having the most successful IPTV operators globally, and rollouts continue throughout the region, operators continue to face challenges in three key areas: regulatory constraints, content, and technology costs, notes Charles Moon, analysts at Pyramid Research and author of the report. "Typically, regulatory issues come first, then the mammoth challenge of valuing and procuring content along with technology issues - both of which can affect subscriber take-up and bottom lines," says Moon.

"One of the most glaring problems surrounding IPTV has been the lack of any framework around the service, putting it in a gray area, with neither the telecom nor broadcasting regulators having clear oversight of the sector," says Moon. Also, the initial investments required in order to acquire content can be prohibitive for smaller players. "To make matters worse, the entrenched position of cable companies in markets like Japan and South Korea make it even more difficult for new IPTV players to negotiate for content rights," he explains. "In addition to the lack of adequate infrastructure and the high cost of STBs hindering adoption, the fight to defend market share is intensifying."

Asia/Pacific provides good lessons for operators faced with developing a business case for IPTV services and determining an appropriate strategy for long-term success. "We believe the long-term opportunities that IPTV brings outweigh the short-term risks," Moons says. "The promise of media, and the escape it provides from dumb-pipe business models, is encouraging carriers to take risks and make grabs for market share," he adds. "Further, the benefits associated from capturing customers - such as lower churn, new service provisioning, and higher cash flows - provide a case for short-term sacrifices."

IPTV in Asia/Pacific: Profit Picture Fuzzy, but Momentum Building is part of our Asia/Pacific Telecom Insider report series. Telecom Insiders are packed with trend analysis, industry best practices, market sizing and forecasting, competitor analysis, and case studies, providing you information you can leverage to make better business decisions.

NVALEO Selects Verismo's Internet TV Platform

TVover.net — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:52:42 GMT

Verismo Networks and NVALEO are bringing the future of business training and distance learning to today's living room. Powered by Verismo's award-winning Internet TV platform, the NVALEO Enrichment System offers training videos for personal and professional development, wealth creation, investing, entrepreneurship, marketing, and more.

NVALEO empowers people to learn from some of the world's greatest minds, with instant access to a wide range of self-enrichment content in the comfort of their homes. Business and training events are brought directly to the television -- so people can continue to learn and develop without spending time and money on travel and conferences. And unlike static DVD-based training, NVALEO can continually update its library with hours of topical and varied live and on-demand content.

NVALEO customers receive a palm-sized set-top box that connects to their television and lets them easily browse for self-enrichment content over their broadband connection. The set-top box "NVALEO HD" is based on Verismo's cutting-edge VuNow Internet TV platform that brings millions of online videos to the TV without the need for a computer.

Beyond self enrichment training content, the Verismo solution lets NVALEO customers watch a wide range of entertaining Internet videos directly on their TV. The platform offers the widest selection of online content for the TV including videos from YouTube™, videos from popular web sites, live TV channels, movies, as well as access to personal media (such as video, music, and photos) from the home network or USB-enabled storage devices.

Verismo offers an open platform that enables OEM partners to rapidly bring to market differentiated versions of its Internet TV platform, including private labeling, hardware licensing for high-volume manufacturing, and the embedding of Verismo technology into consumer appliances.

Joost to Provide White Label Online Video Platforms

TVover.net — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:49:07 GMT

Joost to focus on providing white label online video platforms for media companies, including cable and satellite providers, broadcasters and video aggregators. This technology and service offering will support content owners' efforts to build comprehensive branded environments online.

Media companies around the world are embracing internet-based video portals as a key path to distribute their premium video, but building a world-class video portal is increasingly difficult and expensive. Joost will focus on this issue and provide the market with a cost-effective, end-to-end solution for media companies to publish video under their own brands.

As a part of this new direction, Joost will reorganize and restructure its business. A core team in New York and London will work on providing these solutions, as well as operating and supporting Joost.com and its associated video applications. Joost also will wind down operations in its Leiden development center.

Matt Zelesko, currently SVP of Engineering at Joost, will take over as CEO while continuing to lead the engineering organization. Stacey Seltzer, currently SVP of international business development and content acquisition at Joost, will run the business operations. Mike Volpi has stepped down as CEO of Joost but will remain actively involved as Chairman of the Board.

Joost plans to make its white label video platform commercially available to media companies around the world. This offering will provide a solution for companies looking to build a branded experience for their content on their own site as well as other sites and platforms in their distribution networks.

TelcoTV 2009 Collaboration

TVover.net — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:31:57 GMT

Those attending this year's 8th annual TelcoTV conference and exposition, and delegates at EXPO, NECA's signature training event in Orlando, Fla., get the opportunity to double up on their conference trip thanks to a partnership between NECA and TelcoTV 2009 show organizers. When registering for either event, delegates are offered the option to obtain a special rate day-pass to the other event's exposition floor, making the most of the fact that TelcoTV (November 10-12, 2009) and EXPO (November 8-12, 2009) are taking place concurrently and are conveniently located within a few minutes distance of each other in Orlando. This presents a significant opportunity to forge links between major carriers and rural communications providers, and for NECA members to explore the benefits of media, entertainment, and telecom convergence.

NECA is the administrator of the FCC's interstate access charge pooling system. Based in Whippany, N.J., NECA is a not-for-profit association of over 1,400 incumbent local exchange carriers across the United States and its territories. EXPO is NECA's signature training event for members and features a vendor showcase offering a premier opportunity for vendors to meet with and market to the rural telecommunications industry. Telcos from across the United States and its territories attend EXPO to visit with vendors in the telecommunications, cable, Internet, and IPTV businesses. They also attend classes to increase their knowledge of the industry and to become aware of the increasing options for communications providers. NECA EXPO will be held from November 8-12 at the Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla., and just a few miles from TelcoTV. Seats for the EXPO sessions are already filling fast.

TelcoTV 2009 provides a comprehensive overview of the changing telecom video landscape, with presentations delivering meaningful insight into, and analysis of, the evolving world of entertainment convergence, plus more than 150 exhibitors showcasing the latest solutions and products for the IPTV and video markets. It is a joint production of Light Reading and NTCA. This year's event will be held November 10-12, 2009 at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Fla.

Report: IPTV in Asia/Pacific - Profit Picture Fuzzy, but Momentum Building

TVover.net — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:53:16 GMT

Despite the massive investments necessary in Asia/Pacific's IPTV market, both in technology and content procurement, telecom operators must invest to gain subscriber market share according to a new report from Pyramid Research, the telecom research arm of the Light Reading Communications Network.

IPTV in Asia/Pacific: Profit Picture Fuzzy, but Momentum Building analyzes the challenges facing IPTV providers and looks at the key drivers behind service rollouts in Asia/Pacific. The 13-page report includes two case studies focusing on Hong Kong and South Korea, providing insights into the different strategies used by operators in each market to gain a foothold in the highly competitive broadcasting space. Media Forecasts are also available for 14 markets in Asia/Pacific and provide competitive intelligence on the pay-TV and mobile TV dynamics, market share information at both the technology and operator levels, and five-year adoption and revenue projections.

Although Asia/Pacific has the distinction of having the most successful IPTV operators globally, and rollouts continue throughout the region, operators continue to face challenges in three key areas: regulatory constraints, content, and technology costs, notes Charles Moon, analysts at Pyramid Research and author of the report. "Typically, regulatory issues come first, then the mammoth challenge of valuing and procuring content along with technology issues - both of which can affect subscriber take-up and bottom lines," says Moon.

IPTV in Asia/Pacific: Profit Picture Fuzzy, but Momentum Building is part of Pyramid Research's Asia/Pacific Telecom Insider report series. Telecom Insiders are packed with trend analysis, industry best practices, market sizing and forecasting, competitor analysis, and case studies, providing you information you can leverage to make better business decisions.

UTStarcom Named Leader in China, India IPTV Markets

TVover.net — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:29:11 GMT

UTStarcom named the leading IPTV provider in Asia in Multimedia Research Group's latest Global IPTV Market Leaders Report. The in-depth analysis tracks the top 100 IPTV vendors in 24 regional sub-segments. UTStarcom's strategic IPTV deployments and strong subscriber gains drove the company's rise to the top in the Access, VOD, Set-top-Boxes, Middleware and Content Protection categories.

UTStarcom pioneered IPTV in China when it introduced its RollingStream end-to-end IPTV system in 2005. As of March 2009, UTStarcom's RollingStream supported more than 1.32 million live IPTV subscribers globally. In 2008, UTStarcom partnered with Guangxi Telecom Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Telecom, to deploy the first IPTV-based digital signage solution in 14 Guangxi cities. UTStarcom was also among the first to deliver the Olympic Games via IPTV to China viewers during summer 2008. This April, the company was selected as the only technology supplier for the first mobile television system across Hainan province, driven by China Telecom's Hainan branch.

UTStarcom is also a recognized IPTV leader throughout the Indian subcontinent. The company partnered with Aksh Optifibre Ltd. in 2007 to deliver the first commercial IPTV service in Delhi through Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd. With UTStarcom's continued partnership, Aksh set an agreement with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited to offer its iControl IPTV service in 20 cities across India and additionally in Mumbai with MTNL. UTStarcom also has a long-standing relationship with Bharti Airtel in Delhi NCR. Additionally, UTStarcom's RollingStream platform is being used by Sri Lanka Telecom to deliver IPTV services in the city of Colombo, Sri Lanka.

KIT digital and Akamai Enter Into Strategic Alliance

TVover.net — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:31:46 GMT

KIT digital and Akamai have joined forces to deliver IP video across multiple mediums, including online, mobile networks and IPTV-enabled set-top boxes. The companies have signed a new strategic agreement that calls for them to build upon a long-standing vendor relationship and engage in collaborative sales and marketing efforts on a global basis. This is a unique initiative for both companies and reflects their shared vision for the future of the IP-video market.

According to the terms of the agreement:

KIT digital will package and resell Akamai solutions with its KIT VX Video Management Platform. This will enable video delivery via online, mobile networks and IPTV-enabled set-top boxes on a more integrated and cost-effective basis.
For streaming and video-on-demand services, jointly served enterprise clients will receive maximally efficient storage and bandwidth.
Akamai will collaborate with KIT digital to jointly market the KIT VX Video Management Platform to key Akamai enterprise customers.

Akamai's globally distributed computing platform powers 15-20 percent of all Web traffic, optimizing the transfer of information and increasing complex media performance. While Akamai has been KIT digital's preferred streaming and storage partner for several years, this agreement allows for a more strategic offering of the companies' respective products and services, providing end customers with improved quality and a more cost-effective joint solution.

CloverLeaf's Interactive TV Services Launched on Minerva iTVManager Middleware by Two Telcos

TVover.net — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:12:14 GMT

CloverLeaf and Minerva Networks announce that Pineland Telephone Cooperative in Georgia and WT Services in Texas have launched CloverLeaf's interactive television services on IPTV systems supported on Minerva iTVManager middleware.

CloverLeaf's interactive IPTV services, which are delivered to the television and navigated with a remote control, include DotDaily, a localized news & information TV service (often known as a walled garden) providing national and local content on demand to IPTV subscribers, and Funspot, a suite of casual arcade, casino and puzzle games.

Minerva's iTVManager is a comprehensive software platform for the delivery of next-generation IP-connected television services, including HDTV, PVR, whole-home digital video recording, PPV and VOD. The Minerva platform also offers a robust set of APIs that enable third-party developers to integrate and deploy the latest communications and entertainment applications.

Corpus Christi Customers Get AT&T U-verse

TVover.net — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:30:20 GMT

Corpus Christi residents now have a new choice for their television and communications services, powered by the most advanced technology. AT&T announces the launch of AT&T U-verse services in parts of Corpus Christi beginning Monday, June 29.

Texas was the first state where AT&T U-verse services were deployed, thanks to progressive legislation passed in September 2005 by the Texas Legislature and signed by Gov. Rick Perry. This legislation provides an environment that encourages new video providers, such as AT&T, to invest in Texas to compete against the incumbent cable providers and build the advanced broadband networks that will create jobs and fuel economic growth.

Truveo Relaunches Sites for 17 Countries with Improved Tools

TVover.net — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:02:37 GMT

Truveo announced a major update to its website that makes it easier than ever to find video on the Web. The new site with localized versions available for 16 other countries. Truveo is the second largest video search engine worldwide, with 25.6 million unique visitors, and the second largest in the U.S., with 5.1 million unique visitors.

The latest release of Truveo.com provides:

The most comprehensive global video index: With more than 350 million online videos from thousands of sources across the Web.
Quicker and easier discovery of online video content: Offering a cleaner, redesigned homepage with improved search, browsing functionality and upgraded loading times.
More personalized control over search: Navigation that lets users browse their searches by channel, category, show, popularity and most followed on Twitter. Users can also easily filter results to find videos on their favorite websites and channels.
The broadest coverage of videos: Providing a greater emphasis on helping users easily find the professional videos they want, whether it’s popular TV shows, music videos, sports highlights, news or more. A new page dedicated to TV show listings found on the Web lets users browse for shows alphabetically or by network.
Extended share features: New tools let users save and send their favorite videos and search terms to friends and share them on Bebo, Facebook, MySpace and StumbleUpon.

In addition, all the Truveo sites use localized ranking algorithms to deliver the most relevant results to each country’s Truveo users. For example, a search on Truveo’s France portal, will be more likely to turn up French language videos from French media companies.

Truveo also announced a partnership with Univision Interactive Media, the number one most visited Spanish-language website among U.S. Hispanics, which provides integrated access to Truveo’s leading video search engine. As part of the partnership, visitors to Univision.com, will soon be able to use an enriched video search functionality, powered by Truveo’s video search API, to search and browse the most comprehensive global index of videos. With nearly 76 million unique visitors a month across the Truveo network that powers video search on some of the most popular destinations on the Web, Truveo is a leader in video search.

In Europe, Truveo has partnered with Tiscali Italia, which provides integrated access to Truveo’s leading video search engine. As part of the partnership, visitors to the site are able to use an enriched video search functionality, powered by Truveo’s video search API to search and browse the most comprehensive global index of videos. Truveo's search APIs enable website owners to build applications with powerful video search and discovery features that build on Truveo’s leading video search technology and extensive index of over 350 million2 videos.

SBS Selects Adobe to Deliver Tour de France Live on the Web

TVover.net — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:47:55 GMT

Adobe announces that leading Australian public broadcaster Special Broadcasting Service will stream the 96th annual Tour de France live online using Adobe Flash technology, the No. 1 platform for delivering video on the Web. Cycling fans throughout Australia will be able to watch the most prestigious and well-known bicycling event in the world. The race begins on July 4 and continues through July 27, 2009 with 21 stages, covering a total distance of 3,500 kilometers (2,200 miles).

SBS chose the Adobe Flash Platform to stream the race live in high-definition video, and will offer instant messaging capabilities for viewer interaction, text and audio race commentary, and real-time rider tracking complete with elevations, routes, and rider positions.

Enabling a seamless, instant-on Web experience

Adobe Flash Media Server software is powering the live video streaming for the event, delivered by Adobe Flash Video Streaming Service partner Akamai. Utilizing Adobe’s server software, SBS can deploy consistent, high-quality video as a truly seamless, instant-on Web video experience across all major platforms and browsers.

The Adobe Flash Platform is a complete system of integrated tools, frameworks, clients and servers for the development of Web applications, content and video that runs consistently across operating systems and devices. Adobe Flash Player is on over 98 percent of connected computers and delivers approximately 80 percent of Web video worldwide. Major broadcasters and media companies including MLB.com, CCTV International Networks and DirecTV, are already using the Adobe Flash Platform for streaming live events and the platform powers social networks sites YouTube and MySpace.

Belgacom TV Expands IPTV Service with 250,000 New Customers

TVover.net — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:11:26 GMT

Belgacom TV added 250,000 new customers since January 2008, representing an increase of 45 percent over 2007. The company’s success is driven by the implementation of an end-to-end IPTV platform from Nokia Siemens Networks that introduced HDTV, VoD, PVR and interactive services for both new and existing Belgacom TV subscribers.

The figures mean that, in under four years, Belgacom has captured a 30 percent share of Belgium’s digital TV market.

Nokia Siemens Networks IPTV platform provides an intuitive user interface with advanced features. In addition to this base client platform, Belgacom also uses Nokia Siemens Networks’ Infopages feature to differentiate its content by creating unique, web-like, interactive applications including an easy access VoD catalogue, online shopping and instant voting.

Nokia Siemens Networks has also integrated Cisco’s HD IPTV set-tops to support entertainment experience-enhancing features like HDTV, PVR and VoD services at the end-user premises. Cisco global shipments of HD IPTV set-tops have reached over 3 million units to date.

Nokia Siemens Networks has also provided Belgacom with software maintenance services, a key element of high quality network operations given the large amount of software used in such networks and their increasing complexity.

Tennis Channel Teams Up with NeuLion to Deliver Dedicated Sports Network via the Internet

TVover.net — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:02:38 GMT

NeuLion and Tennis Channel announce the launch of a new online video portal dedicated to Tennis Channel content. The portal, Tennis Channel TV, gives fans an opportunity to tune into their favorite multimedia content, live matches and on-demand programs online.

The network goes beyond the courtside seats to give viewers an all-access tournament pass, with inside looks, behind-the-scenes coverage and a never-before-seen television perspective.

Tennis Channel TV is the only 24-hour, multimedia destination dedicated to the professional sport and passionate tennis lifestyle. Powered by leading sports technology company NeuLion, Tennis Channel TV is an all-in-one online media solution for tennis fans that expands the reach of Tennis Channel programming to online viewers. Content includes VOD channels, highlights, interviews and archives -- all in high digital quality.

Tennis Channel TV was made available on May 24th live from Paris for the French Open with live streaming to U.S. based fans. With the Wimbledon Tournament now underway, Tennis Channel TV streams VOD, interviews, highlights and other primetime coverage online. The event this year has set new records for ticket sales on both of its first two days despite a downturn in the economy, according to the Canadian Press.

The video player allows fans viewing of up to five courts simultaneously, live games, archive matches from earlier in the tournament, highlights, interviews, live chat with fellow fans, search feature and more. NeuLion technology also supports advertising insertions and pre-roll ads help monetize the Tennis Channel TV website. Sponsors include Capital One among others.

Tennis Channel TV coverage includes the U.S. Open, Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon.

Ericsson Powers IPTV for Ucom in Armenia

TVover.net — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:06:48 GMT

Ericsson is bringing high-quality, interactive TV to viewers in Armenia through a deal with operator Ucom. Ericsson will deliver its IPTV solution including GPON technology in the first contract of its kind.

IPTV allows viewers to experience the same type of interactivity on their televisions as they are used to on their PCs, with personalized features such as chat, e-voting, web TV and access to social media networks. The IPTV solution for Ucom will also give viewers access to a flexible, customized portal that offers a wide range of broadcast channels, video on demand, an electronic program guide and personal video-recording capabilities.

The IPTV services will be delivered via the latest fiber-access technology, known as Gigabit Passive Optical Network, supplied by Ericsson. GPON allows the consumer to watch several HDTV channels, download large files from the internet and place voice calls simultaneously without service disruptions. Rollout will start in July 2009.

Ericsson's IPTV solution for Ucom includes IPTV middleware; a content-distribution platform; the customized consumer portal and GPON technology. The agreement also includes systems integration of operational management tools and consultancy services.

Ericsson's GPON fiber-access solution, EDA 1500, provides the highest bandwidth capacity on the market and supports a wide range of applications and services, in particular bandwidth-demanding services such as unicast and broadcast video and TV.

Espial MediaBase Achieves New Benchmarks for VOD, Timeshift TV and Network DVR Performance

TVover.net — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:57:23 GMT

Espial announces the release of the Espial MediaBase version 9.0 VOD platform. Building on proven capabilities serving millions of live IPTV and cable subscribers, Espial MediaBase 9.0 achieves breakthrough performance and extends support for cable operators.

Key new features and benefits of Espial MediaBase include:

Exceptional performance on next-generation, commercial-off-the-shelf hardware
Large operators can deliver up to 1,000 captures, 150 TB of storage and 265 Gbps video streaming from a single rack
Smaller operators can achieve streaming throughput from 400 Mbps up to 37.5 Gbps with up to 100 captures on a single server
Demonstrated high volume streaming and captures through rigorous stress tests that support 30,000 time-shift TV, Network DVR, Remote Storage-DVR and VOD sessions per hour on a simulated large system deployment
Packet loss recovery for excellent video quality over networks with high packet loss

Unified services platform

Single platform supports simultaneous VOD, NPVR, RS-DVR, and Timeshift-TV services (Start-Over, Catch-up, Replay and Delayed TV)

Cable back-office support

Compliance with ISA/NGOD standards
Integration with latest version of the OpenStream Digital Services Platform from TANDBERG Television, part of the Ericsson group

Espial has achieved a 400% performance increase with up to 37.5 Gbps streaming from a single next-generation HP or IBM server with Intel Xeon 5500 series processors and 10 Gbps Network Interface Cards. Operators can do more with less using the dramatic performance and efficiency increases from the latest multi-core Intel processors. They can improve vital day-to-day operations with better performance while using less power and space, getting higher server utilization and the flexibility to quickly deploy new services.

Avail Media Signs 34 Former IP Prime Affiliates

TVover.net — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:49:39 GMT

Avail Media has signed on an additional 25 former SES Americom IP Prime customers, bringing the total to 34. West Kentucky Telephone is among the former IP Prime customers that have signed an agreement with Avail Media's video services solution since SES Americom announced that it would stop offering the IP Prime service. The installation of the Avail video service is in progress. With the addition of these new customers, Avail Media now has a significant share of the customers that once used the IP Prime service.

Avail Media partners with best-in-class members of the IPTV ecosystem including equipment providers, resellers, and content owners in order to deliver value to its customers. Avail Media's partners include sales channel partners, resellers, and systems integrators such as BBT, CSI Digital, Evolution Broadband, Falcon IP/Complete, Fidelity Communications, Motorola, and Nortel; and business consulting groups, such as Jason Anderson Consulting. Avail Media works with its ecosystem partners to develop customized solutions, ensuring minimal infrastructure changes and reasonable fees to support both existing and future affiliates.

Avail Media and TVN Entertainment now provide services to nearly every television provider in North America. In addition to the extensive Hollywood movie studios, cable networks and independent content producers, joint customers can also enjoy the ability to offer linear programming from national broadcasters and even more localized, genre-specific, ethnic/international, and long-tail content.