Time Warner and SeaChange Sign VOD Agreement
SeaChange ITV System to Support Time Warner's Emerging, New Digital Television Services
biz.yahoo.com
MAYNARD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 14, 2000-- Time Warner Cable and SeaChange International, Inc. (NASDAQ: SEAC - news) have reached an agreement for the delivery and implementation of SeaChange's Interactive Television System, which will support Time Warner's ongoing rollout of video-on-demand services to its cable subscribers. This agreement paves the way for the much-anticipated market rollout of advanced interactive television services, including the capability for viewers to select movies on demand through their digital set-top boxes with complete VCR functionality. SeaChange began working with Time Warner on VOD in 1997 and this agreement marks the formal relationship to provide product to the cable giant.
``SeaChange was the first vendor to work with Time Warner on VOD and has demonstrated its leadership in issues surrounding this technology,'' said Mike LaJoie, vice president corporate development, Time Warner Cable. ``We've had a long, productive relationship with SeaChange and look forward to working with them to provide VOD services to our subscribers. VOD is a natural extension of our investments in our digital cable infrastructure and we expect it will become a compelling service for our customers.''
Time Warner was SeaChange's first customer. The purchase agreement reflects Time Warner's confidence and thorough knowledge of SeaChange's technology, service operation and commitment to advanced television operations. The SeaChange ITV System takes advantage of the company's unparalleled strengths in digital video networking, management and delivery of video streams with the most complete platform in the industry. The integrated Command Center software provides the system's automated functionality ensuring easy operation for cable operators. Its patented MediaCluster technology provides the basis for its highly reliable, scalable storage and delivery of thousands of video streams serving entire populations of cable viewers. Densely packaged to use minimal space in cable headends, the ITV System is a standards-based platform designed to integrate with other interactive services and a wide array of digital set-top boxes.
``Since 1994, Time Warner has been a valuable customer of our digital advertising systems and interactive hotel systems. We're excited today to expand that relationship and to support the television industry's evolution in providing interactive television services,'' said Bill Styslinger, president and CEO, SeaChange International.
Time Warner was SeaChange's first customer in 1994 with the installation of its Spot System in New York City, which was subsequently installed in hundreds of headends nationwide. Time Warner also uses SeaChange's GuestServe Network System in providing interactive television services to hotels in Manhattan, Honolulu and Myrtle Beach, S.C. The two companies worked together on Time Warner's Pegasus project. Currently, SeaChange's ITV System is live in Austin, Texas.
About SeaChange International
SeaChange is supporting numerous VOD installations around the world. Time Warner is using the SeaChange ITV System in Austin, Texas. Comcast has also selected the ITV System for its VOD trials in the U.S. Rogers Cablesystems is deploying it in Canada. Telewest Communications is deploying it in the U.K. In China, Guandong Cable TV is using it to provide educational VOD services. Additionally, a number of other cable operators have begun deployments or final preparations toward true VOD services based on the SeaChange platform, which are expected to be announced later.
SeaChange International, Inc. is the world leader in video-on-demand systems with over 50,000 interactive television users served worldwide. The Company creates powerful server and software systems that manage, store and distribute professional quality digital video. SeaChange's innovative products are based on a scalable, distributed software architecture and standard technology components to continuously deliver exponential improvements in digital video cost-performance. As a result, SeaChange enables broadband, broadcast, satellite and new media companies to streamline operations and reduce costs, allowing for expanded services, new applications and increased revenues. SeaChange is headquartered in Maynard, Massachusetts and has product development, support and sales offices throughout the world. Visit www.seachangeinternational.com.
MediaCluster is a registered trademark of SeaChange International. |
