Re Joint Venture
TV Commerce Holdings PLC
10 May 2005
10th May 2005
Your Destiny TV available on 3 through Requestec making it the first TV station
to broadcast live to mobile phones
TV Commerce Holdings (AIM:TVC), the fast-growing media and entertainment
company, announces that it has entered into a joint venture with Requestec, the
digital messaging software group, whereby 3 mobile phone users will be able to
view Your Destiny TV (SKY 694) live on their phones. Already having access to
over 7.5 million homes via Sky Digital Satellite, the new agreement using 3, the
UK's fastest growing network with over three million customers, provides Your
Destiny TV with a much wider potential audience.
To access the channel, users simply dial 85588 and press the video call button
on their phone. The live television broadcast can then be viewed and heard on
any 3 compatible handset. No additional software or complicated setup is
required. Thanks to 3's advanced technology, the audio/visuals are of near
broadcast quality.
As well as watching the live show on a mobile handset users can interact with
the show by sending in text message questions, using the same 85588 code, which
are answered by the top psychics either via a return text message or on the live
show.
Calls are charged at £1.50 per minute and revenues are shared with the network
operator 3 and Requestec, which helped develop the system. TV Commerce's share
is 0.60 pence per minute net.
Commenting on the joint venture, TV Commerce chief executive Vince Stanzione
said: 'As a relatively small broadcaster we are delighted to be the first Live
channel to broadcast on mobile phones. Whilst many have been talking about TV
on mobile phones we are the first to deliver. Our content is well-suited to
mobile telephony. Naturally we're delighted to have entered into this agreement
with 3, using Requestec's technology, and expect this extra income stream to
increase our shareholder value.'
Requestec's Head of Business Development, Marek Zwiefka-Sibley, added: 'Since
its launch Your Destiny TV has continued to grow in popularity. Its offer is
extremely attractive to phone users and we're pleased to offer a fast,
cost-effective solution to Your Destiny TV. We look forward to working with TV
Commerce on future mobile-to-TV and TV-to-mobile applications.'
- Ends -
For further information contact:
Vince Stanzione, Chief Executive Tel: 01908 330 747
TV Commerce Holdings plc: Mobile: 07712 651 777
Simon Robinson/Ana Ribeiro Tel: 020 7493 3713
Parkgreen Communications
Notes to editors
TV Commerce Holdings plc ('TVC' or 'the Company') was set up to exploit the
opportunities brought about by the convergence of television, telephony and
internet technology through the development, ownership and operation of
specialist television channels. It currently operates two programming formats
on Sky Channel 694, details of which appear below: The Advert Channel, the first
to launch, on 6 September 2004 following 12 months of development; and Your
Destiny TV, launched on 1 November 2004.
The television channels act as the platforms from which TVC attracts the
interactive audiences who generate revenues for the Company via T-commerce(1),
premium rate telephone services ('PRTS'), SMS (texts) and MMS (video/picture
texts), competitions and internet transactions.
Your Destiny TV
Dedicated to the psychic and spiritual world, Your Destiny TV includes
programmes on subjects such as psychic powers, palm reading, Tarot, meditation,
feng shui and Chinese astrology. Viewers can participate in discussions and
competitions via PRTS, SMS and MMS. In addition, a viewer can call or send SMS
or MMS messages to obtain psychic advice, as well as sending a picture of her/
his own palm and receiving a reading by SMS.
About 3
Hutchison 3G UK Limited deliver third-generation mobile multimedia and
communications services under the 3 brand in the UK, offering a convergence of
media, information and telephony to enable live video calls, multimedia content
and entertainment while on the move.
3 services are available from sister companies in Australia, Austria, Denmark,
Hong Kong, Israel, Italy and Sweden. 3 also holds UMTS licences in Ireland and
Norway.
For further information, please visit: www.three.co.uk or call the 3 Media
Office on 0207 350 5696.
Three facts about 3:
3 is the UK's first video mobile network.
3 is the UK's fastest growing mobile network. Over 3 million customers in the UK
now have access to 3's range of 3G services, from video messaging and video
calling to watching full-length music videos and goals from Barclays Premiership
football.
3's network offers national coverage for calls and texts, and over 82% coverage
for video services.
About Requestec
Based in London, England, Requestec is an expert in the field of digital
messaging, delivering cost-effective SMS, MMS, digital TV, internet and 3G
mobile solutions. From generic service provision, through to dedicated
application development and hosting, the Company isat the forefront of wireless
technology.
--------------------------
(1) The purchase of goods and services presented for sale on television where
the purchaser enters into the purchase transaction by calling a telephone number
provided as part of the promotion or directly by pressing the relevant button on
a remote control handset, where such interactivity is possible.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange