We have pulled back only -8 Pts, but I still just want to own SFA...looking for an entry point...did anyone see this article?
Cable Innovator, Videotron, Selects PowerTV's
Interactive Software Solution to Gain Early Market
Lead
PR Newswire
PowerTV Will Provide Videotron Complete Software Stack - From the Operating
System to the Interactive Applications - to Offer Email, Web Browsing, Personalized News,
and Chat to Their Cable Subscribers
CUPERTINO, Calif. and QUEBEC, Feb. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- PowerTV, a market leader of
software for digital interactive cable television, and Videotron Ltee, a subsidiary of Le Groupe
Videotron Ltee (Montreal: VDO; Toronto: VDO) serving more than 1.5 million subscribers,
today announced a multi-year software licensing agreement. Per the agreement, Videotron will
use PowerTV's operating system and applications enabling middleware to offer the
SofaSOFT(TM) suite of Web-based enhanced television (eTV) applications to their cable
subscribers in Canada.
This signifies the first completely integrated launch of PowerTV applications in North America,
and initially includes SofaMAIL(TM) e-mail software, SofaSURF(TM) Web browsing
software, SofaNEWS(TM) interactive news-on-demand software, and SofaCHAT(TM) chat
service. These applications will provide consumers with the ability to watch TV and -- at the
same time -- send e-mail, surf the Internet, receive local and national news, and chat with
friends and family. The applications will be offered to this market in French and English.
Michele Giroux, vice president of new product implementation for Videotron, commented, "As
we planned our launch of interactive services for digital cable television, PowerTV quickly rose
to the top due to their vision and innovation in this industry, combined with their core strengths,
focus, and knowledge of the solid business fundamentals required to make the dream a reality."
PowerTV is a leader in the market for system software deployments for digital interactive cable
television, with over 1.3 million units shipped to cable operators to date. Its applications have
been field-tested and network certified to ensure reliability and fast time-to-market for cable
operators. Partnering with PowerTV enables Videotron to enter the market with a complete
package of eTV solutions that puts them far ahead of competitors; in fact, market deployments
are slated to begin in the second quarter of this year.
Bow Rodgers, chief operating officer of PowerTV, said: "We are proud to announce our
strategic partnership with one of the most innovative cable operators in North America.
Videotron has recognized PowerTV as the leader in interactive two-way digital cable software,
and by adopting our platform, Videotron can truly deliver digital interactive enhanced television
to their subscribers."
Videotron has long been a pioneer in the interactive cable industry, beginning with its launch of
Videoway over ten years ago. Videoway was the first-ever successful attempt by any North
American cable operator to provide interactive television services to large numbers of
consumers. This includes video games, television guides, TVcommerce, regional and national
news and weather, and multiple camera angles for sports broadcasts. Today's announcement
accelerates Videotron's launch into digital interactivity, with PowerTV as the enabling software.
These eTV services will soon be made available to Videotron's 300,000+ Videoway
subscriber base.
Videotron will utilize both Scientific-Atlanta's Explorer(R) 2000 family of digital set-tops and
navigator. PowerTV's set-top operating system and HTML middleware runs these advanced
digital interactive devices, with PersonalJava(TM) functionality as an option. The addition of
PowerTV's SofaSOFT applications forms a complete system of seamlessly integrated
interactive programming.
PowerTV is unique in that it provides the complete spectrum of software solutions for the
set-top, and is designed specifically for the cable market. Its software components can also be
"modularized" to run independently on other systems. The company also sponsors the most
extensive active developer network, PowerPartners(TM), to foster the development of third
party applications industry-wide. Said Charbonneau: "What impressed me was that PowerTV
offers the most comprehensive software solution in the industry. It is based fully on
industry-recognized standards, and the platform is field-tested. This alliance will enable us to
continue to offer new services to our customers for years to come."
About Videotron
Videotron (Le Groupe Videotron ltee) is a leader in the field of telecommunications, cable
television, Internet services, television production, broadcasting, e-commerce and remote
surveillance services. The largest Cable company in Quebec and second largest in Canada,
Videotron provides broadband cable television and Internet services to over 1.6 million
households. Celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, Videotron has 5,000 employees and its
shares are listed on the Montreal and Toronto Stock Exchanges under the ticker symbol VDO.
About PowerTV, Inc.
PowerTV has designed a leading set-top box operating system and applications platform for
broadband networks. Based on open standards, the company's technology leverages Internet
protocols that allow Web content and services to be utilized on television. Enabled services will
include electronic program guides, email, video-on-demand, e-commerce, interactive
advertising, and personalized information. The company will also provide the SofaSOFT(TM)
suite of Internet based digital cable services that include: SofaMAIL(TM), SofaNEWS(TM),
SofaSHOP(TM), and SofaCHAT(TM) software applications and the SofaSURF(TM) Internet
browser. PowerTV's technology gives cable operators new ways to gain incremental revenue
over a short period of time. PowerTV is located in Cupertino, California and can be accessed
over the Internet at its home page address: powertv.com or by calling
408-777-4753.
NOTE: PowerTV and SofaSOFT, SofaMAIL, SofaNEWS, SofaSHOP, SofaCHAT,
SofaSURF, and PowerPartners are trademarks or registered trademarks of PowerTV, Inc. in
the United States and in other countries. All other names and trademarks are the property of
their respective owners.
CONTACT: Michelle Hildebrand of PowerTV, Inc., 408-777-4753, or
michelle@powertv.com; or Paula Contos Dunne of Neale-May & Partners, 650-328-5555,
ext. 113, or pdunne@nealemay.com, for PowerTV, Inc.; or Michele Giroux of Videotron,
514-985-8459, or michele.giroux@videotron.com.
SOURCE PowerTV, Inc.
/CONTACT: Michelle Hildebrand of PowerTV, Inc., 408-777-4753, or
michelle@powertv.com; or Paula Contos Dunne of Neale-May & Partners,
650-328-5555, ext. 113, or pdunne@nealemay.com, for PowerTV, Inc.; or
Michele Giroux of Videotron, 514-985-8459, or michele.giroux@videotron.com/
/Web site: powertv.com |
