NBC UNIVERSAL AND MOBITV ANNOUNCE FIRST-EVER WIRELESS DEAL FOR FULL-LENGTH PRIMETIME ON DEMAND PROGRAMMING
NBC UNIVERSAL AND MOBITV ANNOUNCE FIRST-EVER WIRELESS DEAL FOR FULL-LENGTH PRIMETIME ON DEMAND PROGRAMMING
Primetime Offer to Include 'Heroes,' 'Friday Night Lights,' 'The Office,' 'Monk,' 'Battlestar Galactica' and 'Work Out'
Additional NBCU Channels to Launch on MobiTV Include Bravo, SCI FI, USA, Telemundo and mun2
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, NJ and EMERYVILLE, CA � March 14, 2007 � NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies and MobiTV, Inc., the global leader in mobile and broadband television and music services, today announced a breakthrough deal to make full-length primetime on demand programming available over US wireless networks for the first time. In addition to a robust primetime video-on-demand line-up, the two companies will offer select short form programming from Bravo, SCI FI Channel, USA Network, Telemundo and mun2 on five new ad-supported channels to subscribers, which will debut on the MobiTV service in second quarter. CNBC and MSNBC were among the first networks launched on the MobiTV service in 2003 to create the world's first commercially available mobile television service.
"This is an extraordinary partnership with MobiTV and we're excited to be the first major network to offer our viewers wireless access to their favorite primetime shows on demand," commented Jean-Briac (JB) Perrette, president, NBC Universal Digital Distribution. "In addition, this groundbreaking deal with MobiTV will create another platform for NBCU's partner advertisers to reach their audience."
"As part of the original cast of network trendsetters who played a role in the launch of the MobiTV service back in 2003, we are honored NBC Universal chose to partner with MobiTV again, setting new trends in mobile content delivery by offering this top rated, full-length primetime programming," said Jeff Bartee, vice president content and programming for MobiTV. "This deal represents a significant milestone in the history of television and a key advancement in the mobile television category. NBC Universal has shown tremendous foresight in realizing this opportunity early, and demonstrated an ability to move aggressively in leveraging this new and rapidly growing distribution channel to better reach their loyal viewers."
Consumers will be able to access full episodes of select NBCU primetime shows starting at $1.99 for a 24-hour viewing period, although these rates are subject to change by participating wireless carriers. Current seasons of shows produced by NBCU Television Studios will be offered including "The Office" and "Heroes" from NBC, USA's "Monk," and SCI FI's "Battlestar Galactica." Several ad-supported on demand shows will also be available at no additional charge from within the MobiTV base subscription channel package including NBC's high school football drama, "Friday Night Lights," also produced by NBCU Television Studios and Bravo's new reality series "Shear Genius" and returning docu-drama "Work Out."
In another first, Telemundo will offer full-length episodes of telenovelas such as "Pasion de Gavilanes" and "Decisiones." Select video clips from its popular morning talk show, "Cada Dia" and telenovelas "Marina" and "Dame Chocolate" will also be available to viewers. In addition, bilingual cable network mun2 will offer full episodes of "The Chicas Project" as well as select clips of all network shows including "Vivo," "One Nation Under Hip-Hop," and "The mun2 Shift."
Also, NBCU will offer a live linear feed of its CNBC programming online via MobiTV's online television service available as part of a subscription service to subscribers with a broadband Internet connection.
NBC Universal Digital Distribution
NBC Universal Digital Distribution, a division of NBC Universal, drives the company's development of digital content and distribution in the areas of digital sales, digital platforms and wireless products. NBC Universal Digital Distribution manages product strategy and development for NBCU's content efforts by deploying it across multiple digital platforms including mobile, Internet portals, wireless carriers, emerging digital companies and nontraditional customers. In addition, NBCU Digital Distribution spearheads the company's development of industry leading technologies such as interactive television, on demand, electronic sell-through and IPTV. NBCU Digital Distribution also directs and manages the company's cable investments including A&E, The History Channel, History Channel International, The Biography Channel and the Sundance Channel.
About MobiTV
MobiTV, Inc. (www.mobitv.com) is leading the convergence of television, film and music across the mobile and broadband markets. The Emmy� Award winning mobile television service offers popular TV and digital music content from top networks, labels and cable providers. The MobiTV� service has more than two million subscribers world-wide and is available throughout the US, UK, Latin America, and Canada. Founded in 1999, MobiTV is a privately-held company headquartered in Emeryville, CA.
MobiTV and the MobiTV logos are trademarks, service marks, and/or registered trademarks of MobiTV, Inc. in the United States and in other countries. All other trademarks, service marks, and product names used herein are the property of their respective owners.
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