3G Agreement with ICTV
Yoomedia PLC
04 November 2005
YooMedia plc / Ticker: Yoo / Index: AIM / Sector: Media
4 November 2005
YooMedia plc
Enters into Worldwide 3G Video Content Market with ICTV
YooMedia plc, the AIM traded interactive content and services provider, and ICTV
have expanded their joint venture agreement to develop and exclusively market
rich media interactive content solutions and services for the worldwide 3G
mobile market. The joint venture company, BroadbandTV Group, utilizes
YooMedia's cross platform interactive media gateway and services and ICTV's
HeadendWare(R) technology, which have already been successfully integrated for
digital television and are currently under trial in the UK with ntl.
BroadbandTV Group aims to operate and provide a unique enhanced 3G interactive
video gateway for 3G network operators, television broadcasters, content
publishers, content producers and advertisers.
ICTV's HeadendWare(R) enables a content delivery network that brings broadband
web delivery techniques and tools to 3G including Flash(R) and Shockwave(R)
animation, high quality streaming audio and full motion video. YooMedia's
proprietary interactive services include the Dateline Mobile service, the
world's first mobile phone video dating service to deliver live video matching
for singles, which recently was named Best Mobile TV Channel or Service at
MIPCOM's inaugural Mobile Day.
BroadbandTV Group has already developed and aggregated a wide-ranging
interactive UK programming package through its Content Partner Programme,
including ITN, MTV Networks, Emap, Turner Broadcasting, Sesame Workshop and
UKTV.
The Directors believe that this partnership is an important strategic step for
the Company and anticipate that the relationship will make a growing
contribution to its financial results during the year ending 31 December 2006
and beyond.
YooMedia's Group Managing Director, Neil MacDonald, said 'This is another
exciting step in the development of cutting edge and compelling products and
services for the YooMedia interactive portfolio. There is tremendous market
potential, for example, in the ability of our YooMedia Dating services to reach
singles across a combination of mobile, PC and digital television devices.'
One of the fastest growing technologies worldwide, 3G service is currently
offered over more than 75 networks in 36 countries, with subscriber numbers
estimated to grow to approximately 240 million in the next four years. A total
of 26 hardware suppliers manufacture and distribute more than 170 3G handsets
and devices.
Jeff Miller, President and Chief Executive Officer of ICTV, added: 'While 3G
represents a large potential market, the diversity of devices and networks and
the need to reach across other media underscores the need for a unified
solution. By combining the power of HeadendWare(R) with YooMedia's innovative
applications, Broadband TV is able to rapidly and cost-effectively deliver rich
media services across PCs, mobile devices and advanced digital television.'
* * ENDS * *
Contacts:
Neil MacDonald YooMedia plc Tel: 020 7462 0870
Isabel Crossley St Brides Media & Finance Ltd Tel: 020 7242 4477
Notes on YooMedia plc
YooMedia is one of the fastest growing interactive entertainment companies in
the UK. Essentially, it develops and delivers premium interactive content and
services to households and individuals via TV, the web, telephony and mobile
phones. It has four main divisions:
• YooMedia Dating - manages dating brands including Dateline and Avenues from
over 20 locations throughout the UK. Operates across traditional media,
digital TV, internet and mobile phones.
• YooMedia Gambling & Games - interactive fixed odds, play for fun casino and
poker related games services for digital TV, the web and mobile phones.
Brands include Avago and Channel 425. It also manages YooPlay, the only
interactive games channel found on all four Digital TV platforms in the UK.
• YooMedia Enhanced Solutions (YES) - delivers interactive content that
enhances consumer and audience experiences. Customers include the BBC,
Nestle, Celador, William Hill, Channel 4, ZipTV, The Cartoon Network and
HR Owen.
• YooMedia Public Sector - provides digital solutions/media services to
leading public sector organisations including the NHS Direct Interactive TV
service for the Department of Health, the Learning and Skills Council TV
Kickstart service and a range of local authority TV services.
The Group's experienced management team includes: Chairman, Dr. Michael
Sinclair, who holds a number of directorships in both the UK and the USA having
previously founded Lifetime Corporation; and Managing Director, Neil MacDonald,
whose career spans 11 years in multimedia and interactive sectors plus a further
19 years in the retail industry.
Notes on ICTV(TM)
ICTV offers a solutions-oriented approach for the delivery of new television
services to cable and telco subscribers that combines the standards-based
technology of the ICTV HeadendWare platform with a portfolio of branded iTV
applications and personalized interactive programming and addressable
advertising opportunities. The company is based in the heart of California's
Silicon Valley, with offices in Baltimore and the UK. Strategic investors
include Liberty Media, Motorola, OpenTV, Shaw Communications, Cox Communications
and Lauder Partners. For more information, visit www.ictv.com.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange