Archive for February, 2010

BETHPAGE, N.Y., 05/20/2004 — Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC) today announced that it has successfully deployed five advanced interactive television (ITV) applications to iO: Interactive Optimum digital cable customers across its entire service area. The company also announced that it has more than doubled the size of the innovative subscription games service it introduced for all iO customers earlier this month, with the addition of a “Casino” games package featuring unlimited access to seven gaming favorites.

“This is a watershed moment in the development of our iO digital cable service, because it represents the extension of innovative interactive applications, which had formerly been available only in select areas, across our entire customer base,” said Patrick Donoghue, Cablevision’s vice president of interactive television development and operations. “All of our nearly 1.1 million iO customers now have access to this groundbreaking functionality and compelling content, further leveraging the enormous capacity of our network and giving our digital cable service an even greater competitive advantage over conventional satellite providers.”

With the launch of ITV applications across its entire service area, all of Cablevision’s iO digital cable customers have access to the following services at no additional cost:

Metro Weather Interactive, featuring intensely localized weather information and forecasts, in addition to comprehensive reports on the region, nation and world. The fully-interactive service also includes detailed marine forecasts and advisories.

Metro Traffic Interactive, featuring local and regional traffic information including delay advisories, specific reports on area bridges and tunnels, road conditions and – in select areas – live camera shots of frequently traversed roadways.

iO Dashboard, an interactive information portal, with embedded video, that enables viewers to scan current news, sports and entertainment headlines, in addition to viewing personally-relevant traffic, weather, lottery and horoscope information.

iO Showcase, the innovative promotional channel designed by Cablevision to help iO customers identify unique and interesting elements of its digital cable service, including new on demand titles, subscription video on demand services, high-definition programming and other benefits.

Move ‘n Match Puzzles, an entertaining and educational puzzle game for young children.

The iO Games play-for-fun “Casino” package includes seven captivating interactive gaming favorites developed by Zone4Play, the leading developer and provider of betting and gambling applications for interactive television subscribers. As with all iO Games, free demos are available on a trial basis. Players draw iO-branded cards, throw dice and drop coins with a touch of the remote control. Top players are able to post their scores on leader boards that are visible across Cablevision’s service area.

“The addition of these popular casino games will create additional momentum for a service that is already becoming popular with our customers,” Donoghue said. “We’ve developed a compelling interface and intuitive controls enhanced with incredible graphics that are as real to a casino floor as you can get on television. As we’ve seen with the success of iO Games’ Variety Pak, which we launched earlier this month, there is a lot of excitement and interest in this type of interactive entertainment.”

The iO Games “Casino” package includes Blackjack, Caribbean Poker, Roulette, Video Poker, Battle Royal, Slots and Keno. The iO Games “Variety Pak” and “Casino” are each available for unlimited play for the monthly subscription price of $4.95. In the coming weeks, Cablevision will make it even more convenient for iO customers to subscribe to interactive games services by adding the ability to upgrade using only a television remote control and on-screen prompts.

Nearly 700,000 iO customers were added in 2003, for a current total of nearly 1.1 million. Today more than 36 percent of Cablevision’s cable customers are iO customers, up from just 13.6 percent one year ago, reflecting the breakaway success of a service that was first offered on a limited basis in late 2001 and did not become available across Cablevision’s entire service area until late last year.

This dramatic consumer adoption of iO in 2003 was complemented by strong industry recognition, including Emmy Awards in two categories: “Outstanding Achievement in Interactive Television for an Interactive Television Service,” and “Outstanding Achievement in Advanced Media Technology for the Creation of Non-Traditional Programs or Platforms.”

iO offers customers access to more than 200 channels, including 50 premium movie channels, 45 channels of commercial-free digital music, more than 700 titles available on demand, an interactive programming guide, 14 high-definition programming services and groundbreaking interactive television applications. No other cable or satellite provider exceeds the breadth and depth of the iO service or gives customers more control over their television experience.

Apple Inc. is in discussions with television networks to lower the price of downloaded TV shows when the company begins selling its new iPad tablet computer, people familiar with the talks said.

One of these people said Apple has already been testing a price of 99 cents—half the price of standard-definition TV episodes—for certain shows on its iTunes service and wants to finalize a deal to offer that price more broadly along with the iPad, which is expected to go on sale in late March.

A search on iTunes showed, for example, that episodes of MTV Networks’ comedy show “Wonder Showzen,” Viacom’s “Celebrity Paranormal Project” and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.’s “Children’s Hospital” drama series are currently on sale for 99 cents.

Some episodes of selected television shows have also been available for free.

The people familiar with the talks said the new pricing has not been finalized yet. A spokesman for Apple declined to comment.

The Financial Times reported on Wednesday that Apple could begin offering 99-cent pricing for TV shows along with the iPad.

The discussions are part of Apple’s broader strategy to overhaul its iTunes service. The Cupertino, Calif., company acquired music-streaming service La La Media Inc. late last year as part of a plan to offer consumers more ways to access and manage their music purchases.

On the video side, it has been in serious discussions with television networks since last fall to come up with more compelling pricing packages for consumers.

Apple currently offers TV shows for $1.99 for standard-definition episodes and $2.99 for high-definition episodes. For an entire season, consumers might pay $49.99 in high-definition for a popular television series. Several executives at media companies have acknowledged in recent months that Apple’s prices for video on iTunes are extremely high, but it’s also one of the reasons why media companies and cable operators have not felt threatened by the offerings.

As The Wall Street Journal previously reported, Apple’s initial discussions with the networks centered on a monthly subscription plan for a selection of TV shows.

People familiar said those talks appear to have stalled, though one of those people said that Apple hasn’t given up on that idea as an additional offering.

Beefing up its content offerings is crucial for the success of the iPad, which Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs has touted as the pre-eminent media and entertainment device.

One person familiar with the talks said that Apple met with at least one network as recently as last week to discuss the pricing. This person said the company was trying to “ignite the video part of iTunes,” which has been a small contributor to the service’s revenues so far.

In its quarter ended Dec. 26, Apple reported $1.16 billion in iTunes Store sales, iPod services and accessories.

LAS VEGAS – January 06, 2010 – FLO TV, a wholly owned subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated (Nasdaq: QCOM), and mophie today announced they are teaming to create a series of products that will bring live mobile TV to the iPhone and iPod touch platforms.

The products, which are expected to begin shipping in the first half of this year, will bring the award-winning FLO TV mobile TV service to the cutting-edge mophie juice pack, letting consumers view their favorite live entertainment, sports and news from the world’s top entertainment brands on their iPhone and iPod touch.

“We are uniting our vision of advancing mobile TV across a range of devices and platforms with mophie’s unrivaled expertise in designing intelligent cases for Apple users,” said Bill Stone, president of FLO TV. “Together, our solution will be a true live mobile TV product available to iPhone and iPod touch users.”

“mophie’s juice pack line has delivered superior rechargeable external battery life to Apple users,” said Shawn Dougherty, vice president of mophie, designer of the world’s thinnest Apple-certified external battery/protective case and other Apple-certified accessories. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to elevate our intelligent case design through this creative product collaboration and deliver the ultimate mobile television experience for iPhone users.”

The agreement between mophie and FLO TV reflects the growing demand for mobile television and FLO TV’s commitment to bring its award-winning service to any small screen. The new products integrate mophie’s intelligent case design with a built-in FLO TV receiver that allows iPhone and iPod touch users the ability to watch live television at the flip of a switch. Consumers can also utilize the device as back-up battery power in between charges.

Service not available everywhere. Programming subject to change / blackout restrictions. Service subscription required. “Live mobile television” means the FLO TV service transmits channels in real time; no downloading, sideloading or buffering.

About mophie
mophie is an award winning accessory company consistently praised for its creative designs and innovative solutions. mophie was proud to be the first ever “Works With iPhone” certified battery by Apple Inc. Its products can be found in Apple Stores and major retailers worldwide and onwww.mophie.com. Follow on Twitter at http://twitter.com/mophielovesyou.

About FLO TV
The FLO TV service combines the best content, an intuitive user interface and a superior multicast network to deliver a true quality TV viewing experience for consumers. FLO TV offers full–length simulcast and time–shifted programming from the world’s best entertainment brands, including ABC, ABC Entertainment, ABC Family, ABC News, ABC Sports, Adult Swim Mobile, CBS, CBS College Sports, CBS News, CNBC, COMEDY CENTRAL, Disney Channel, Disney Channel Original Movies, ESPN, ESPNEWS, ESPN 2, FOX, FOX News Channel, FOX Sports, FUEL TV, MSNBC, MTV, NBC 2Go, NBC News, NBC Sports, nickelodeon, Playhouse Disney and SOAPNet. Based in San Diego, Calif., FLO TV Incorporated is a wholly owned subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated. Further information is available at www.flotv.com