Agreement with Gemstar
Yoomedia PLC
02 November 2005
YooMedia plc / Ticker: Yoo / Index: AIM / Sector: Media
2 November 2005
YooMedia plc and Gemstar-TV Guide to launch digital version of
Gemstar-TV Guide's GUIDE Plus+ EPG in the UK
YooMedia plc, the AIM traded interactive content and services provider, has
signed a multi-year agreement with Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc. (NASDAQ:
GMST), a leading, global media, entertainment and technology company, to deliver
Gemstar-TV Guide's GUIDE Plus+ electronic program guide to Freeview digital set
top boxes, digital recorders and televisions in the UK. The GUIDE Plus+ EPG is
a subscription-free, seven-day guide that allows consumers to quickly and
easily navigate, sort, select, and schedule television programming for viewing
or recording, simply by pressing a button.
Under the agreement, GUIDE Plus+ will be built into leading manufacturers'
digital electronic devices and will be supported by YooMedia's unique new
facility on Freeview, known as 'datacasting.'
In addition, YooMedia and Gemstar-TV Guide will collaborate to research and
develop value-added rich-media interactive services, including advertising,
integrated with the GUIDE Plus+ EPG.
A leader in television information and guidance, Gemstar-TV Guide is best known
in the UK as the inventor and provider of the VIDEO Plus+(R) recording
technology, an instant recording system that gives users a simple way to record
television programs in VCRs and DVD recorders.
YooMedia's Group Managing Director, Neil MacDonald, said: 'We are delighted to
announce the availability of our datacasting service on Freeview and work in
partnership with Gemstar-TV Guide, one of the most significant companies in
digital television today, to deliver its industry-leading EPG to consumers
throughout the UK.'
Lydie Levy, Gemstar-TV Guide's European Managing Director, said: 'I am very
pleased to announce the launch of our GUIDE Plus+ service on digital terrestrial
in conjunction with such a well-respected and technically-proficient partner as
YooMedia. This relationship will further extend our ability to provide class
leading guidance technology to television viewers.'
Gemstar-TV Guide's EPGs are built directly into consumer electronics products,
including digital televisions, digital video recorders and DVD recorders. The
guide requires no subscription or phone connection and is available at no extra
cost to the consumer. Gemstar-TV Guide has licensing agreements with more than a
dozen consumer electronics manufacturers worldwide.
* * ENDS * *
Contacts:
Neil MacDonald YooMedia PLC Tel: 020 7462 0870
Isabel Crossley St Brides Media & Finance Ltd Tel: 020 7242 4477
Georgia Juvelis Gemstar-TV Guide georgia.juvelis@tvguide.com
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.
About Gemstar-TV Guide
Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc. (NASDAQ: GMST) is a leading media,
entertainment and technology company that develops, licenses, markets and
distributes technologies, products and services targeted at the television
guidance and home entertainment needs of consumers worldwide. The Company's
businesses include: television media and publishing properties; interactive
program guide services and products; and technology and intellectual property
licensing. Additional information about the Company can be found at
www.gemstartvguide.com.
This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties, including risks and uncertainties related to declines in our
magazine publishing business; timely availability and market acceptance of
products and services incorporating the Company's technologies and content; our
investment in new and existing businesses, including TV Guide magazine, Inside
TV, and TV Guide Spot; limitations on our ability to control certain joint
venture or partnership businesses; the impact of competitive products and
pricing; ongoing and potential future litigation; and the other risks detailed
from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including the most recent
reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, each as it may be amended from time to
time. The Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking
statements.
Note to Editors: Gemstar and TV Guide are trademarks of Gemstar-TV Guide
International, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. The names of other companies and
products used herein are for identification purposes only and may be trademarks
of their respective owners.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange