Following is DooWopGuy's RB post of his comprehensive recap of items about Fantastic Corporation, who provides software systems for the handling of multi-media content distribution over broadcast and other broadband services and who is a key Wave partner and inTelecast participant:
ragingbull.com
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By: DooWopGuy
Reply To: 42798 by Ducati996
Thursday, 10 Jun 1999 at 6:36 AM EDT
Post #42983 of 42990
Ducati [re: Fantastic],
Fantastic is more than "only a partner of inTelecast." This is from a Wave/Fantastic
announcement in April of 1998:
"Las Vegas, NV, April 7, 1998 --Wave Systems Corp. and Swiss-based Fantastic
Corporation™
announced today at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Conference an
agreement integrating Fantastic's high-speed broadband channel packaging and
management capabilities with Wave's information commerce and content catalog.
Fantastic's technology allows users to access broadcast information via their innovative
client software, and enables broadcasters to manage the collection and dissemination of
content over different broadband delivery systems, including cable, wireless, satellite and
other wireline networks. Furthermore, the partnership will provide an additional channel for
software publishers to securely distribute, license, sell and manage the usage of software
and content. Detailed terms of the relationship were not disclosed.
"Wave's innovative electronic software distribution model enables the distribution of
encrypted content via broadband, Internet, satellite transmission, CD-ROM and DVD, and
provides an end-user content subscriber management system. Wave's software system
allows users to take advantage of content rental,
purchase, pay-per-use and rent-to-own payment models directly from their desktops with a
click of a mouse. Consumers can pay for information based upon their actual usage,
enabling publishers to significantly reduce their marketing and distribution expenses and
reach new target markets.
"The Fantastic Corporation, the leader in the development of broadband delivery for
multimedia and channel management software, is a developer of a high-speed Media
Distribution System™ which enables the distribution of rich multimedia content (audio,
video, data streams, software, etc.) over high-speed networks (satellite, cable, etc.) to PC's
and next-generation set-top boxes and set-top computers. Using this system, any content
may be formatted for distribution via all transport media offering speeds up to 1000 times
faster than current Internet transfer rates."
Fantastic is a big-time player in content aggregation, and I think that's a key area that needs
to move in parallel with chip deployment. Any new Fantastic alliance has to offer new
possibilities. Here's some additional information on Fantastic that I posted in March...
Fantastic fantastic.ch
"The Fantastic Corporation is the leading provider of IP (Internet Protocol) based,
broadcasting software designed for Broadband Multimedia, the high-speed, distribution of
multimedia content to PCs and set-top boxes. Fantastic's end-to-end software solution
enables the aggregation and distribution of unique multimedia applications not widely
available due to bandwidth limitations. Broadband Multimedia combines the reach, efficiency
and quality of the TV world with the interactivity and wealth of content of the PC world.
"Founded in 1996, the company now employs 160 employees in its corporate headquarters
in Zug, Switzerland, regional head offices in New York and Singapore, and regional offices in
Hamburg, London, Lugano, Milan, Paris, Sydney, Washington D.C. Offices in San Francisco
and Tokyo will soon be opened.
"The Fantastic Corporation is owned by key management, company employees, European
Technology and Finance Investments NV, and other public and private investors. Investors
include Intel, T-Venture (the venture capital arm of Deutsche Telekom), Reuters, JAFCO, and
Mark Hoffman (Co-Founder and Chairman, Sybase Inc., President and C.E.O. of Commerce
One). Giorgio Ronchi, the former CEO of Memorex Telex and current chairman of ETF &I,
heads The Fantastic Corporation's board as its Chairman. The Fantastic Corporation works
with leading companies in each step of the value chain to jump-start the broadband
multimedia market. Below you will find information and links to some of our partners. "
"ASTRA-NET (SES Multimedia S.A.) and The Fantastic Corporation enabled content delivery
using IP Multicast protocol over satellite. This landmark offering will make IP Multicast
transmission services available to thousands of business users throughout Europe.
Fantastic's software, coupled with ASTRA-NET (SES Multimedia S.A.) broadband satellite
platform abilities, allows corporations to leverage their existing infrastructures to easily
deliver any kind of digital data to unlimited locations and users. Companies will be able to
enjoy the speed, security and reliability of satellite communications while reducing their
overall communications costs. Possible applications for the technology include distance
learning, corporate video presentations, multimedia catalog and price list distribution and
many others."
astra-net.com
"Commerce One, Inc. develops, licenses and markets an end-to-end electronic commerce
solution for interbusiness transactions. Fantastic's technology will be integrated with
Commerce One's REOS 5 Transaction Server to deliver a complete solution for businesses.
End users receiving broadband broadcast data can now interactively execute transactions in
real time against this data-enabling businesses to deliver a higher level of end user service
and satisfaction, while increasing revenue and reducing costs. End users will be able to use
electronic catalogs, perform real-time product ordering, order reconciliation, inventory
checking/allocating, tracking and a variety of other functions." commerce-one.com
"Deutsche Telekom and The Fantastic Corporation have partnered to bring broadband
multimedia services to Germany. Deutsche Telekom strengthened its support of Fantastic
by making an equity investment in the company through its venture capital arm, T-Venture.
Deutsche Telekom licensed Fantastic's CMC™ (Channel Management Center) software for
broadcasting multimedia content to businesses across Germany. 'With this agreement,
Deutsche Telekom will lead the way into broadband multimedia services and seize the new
market for digital services,' said Prof. Knut Föckler, Senior Executive Director Multimedia
Communications of Deutsche Telekom." www.dtag.de
"Intel Corporation and The Fantastic Corporation will work together to enable delivery of
media-rich content to PCs via broadband infrastructures such as satellite, cable, ADSL and
digital terrestrial. This multimedia broadcasting technology lets consumers use a single
device, such as a PC or set-top computer, to receive multimedia services. Intel also
disclosed that it has an investment in Fantastic, and that it is providing the company with
certain technical support." www.intel.com
Þ"Nielsen Media Research and The Fantastic Corporation are working together to integrate
metering technology into Fantastic's CEC Pro™ server software. Fantastic's customers will
have the option of using Nielsen Media's metering technology to capture critical audience
and usage information, which will give content providers a much clearer view of how people
are using systems and an authoritative basis for setting advertising fees and developing
new services. 'Our technology and methodology enable advertisers, distributors, content
providers and agencies to better understand consumer behavior and use media more
effectively to reach and influence people,' said Manish Bhatia, Vice President, Interactive
Services, Nielsen Media Research." nielsenmedia.com
"Fantastic and Reuters will work together to bring a new multimedia news channel, going
beyond anything available on the Internet today. The result is an unparalleled global news
service that combines the power of television with the interactivity of the Web. Reuters also
announces an equity investment in Fantastic, extending its selective 'greenhouse'
investment strategy into the European market."
reuters.com
"Telecom Italia, Italy's leading telecommunications operator, will implement Fantastic's
software, the Channel Management Center (CMC), for broadcasting multimedia content via
satellite to business PCs and, in a second stage, consumer PCs and digital set-top boxes.
End users will receive the digital content on PCs equipped with a DVB (digital video
broadcasting) card and linked to a satellite dish. Telecom Italia is also a shareholder in The
Fantastic Corporation." telecomitalia.it
fantastic.ch
"CANNES, France, 10 February 1998 - ZakSat, a Kuwait based satellite communications
firm, and The Fantastic Corporation, a Swiss-American software technology company, today
announced a strategic partnership to bring broadband multimedia services to businesses
and private households in the Middle East, India, Asia and Australia.
fantastic.ch THE FANTASTIC CORPORATION™ AND MUSIC
CHOICE EUROPE SIGN AGREEMENT TO PROVIDE BROADBAND MUSIC CHANNEL
28-10-98
"A multi-million pound venture between Sony, Warner and BskyB, Music Choice is Europe's
premier digital audio service, delivering up to 50 genre-specific channels of commercial-free
music programming to cable and satellite operators. Music Choice currently has half a
million European subscribers. Minority shareholders include EMI Music, AEI Music and
General Instrument."
fantastic.ch
LORAL AND FANTASTIC TO OFFER NEXT-GENERATION BROADBAND SERVICES
11-12-98
"NEW YORK, December 11, 1998 - Loral Space & Communications (NYSE: LOR) today
announced that it has licensed technology from The Fantastic Corporation that will enable it
to bring a new generation of satellite-based, broadband multimedia services to market on a
worldwide basis. Specific terms of the multimillion-dollar transaction were not disclosed.
Service rollout is expected in early 1999."
fantastic.ch
THE FANTASTIC CORPORATION AND MTV TO CREATE NEXT GENERATION BROADBAND
MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT CHANNEL 11-01-99
"London, UK / Zug, Switzerland -- 11 January 1999 - MTV Networks Europe, Europe's
premier music television channel, and The Fantastic Corporation, a leader in Broadband
Multimedia software and services, announced today their agreement to co-develop an
interactive music channel for broadband networks."
fantastic.ch
EUROSPORT AND THE FANTASTIC CORPORATION ENTER STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
TO DEVELOP INTERACTIVE MULTIMEDIA SPORTS SERVICE 10-02-99
"ZUG, Switzerland and CANNES, France - 10 February 1999 - In an effort to extend the scope
of broadcast sports information to IP based broadband networks, Eurosport, Europe's
leading provider of broadcast sports information, and The Fantastic Corporation™, the
leader in IP based software for Broadband Multimedia applications, announced their plans
to jointly develop an interactive multimedia sports service.
"Available for distribution over broadband networks, e.g. satellite, cable, ADSL or digital
terrestrial to PCs or next-generation TV set-top boxes, it will include a blend of added text and
graphic information to the Eurosport content, interactive games and e-commerce
applications. This innovative service will combine the traditional broadcasting experience
with the ability to interact with sports events.
"Eurosport, Europe's number one sports network, is jointly owned by TF1, Canal + and
ESPN. It is the most distributed channel in Europe with a total reach of 81 million homes and
over 210 million viewers throughout 47 countries."
fantastic.ch
EAGLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENT AND THE FANTASTIC CORPORATION TO JOINTLY
DEVELOP BROADBAND CHANNEL TO BROADCAST MUSIC EVENTS TO PCS AND
SET-TOP BOXES - 10-02-99
"ZUG, Switzerland and CANNES, France, 10 February 1999 - Eagle Rock, one of the world's
largest vendors of live music events for television, and The Fantastic Corporation, the leader
in Broadband Multimedia software and applications, have joined forces to develop a
broadband multimedia channel for music events. With this agreement, Eagle Rock expands
its scope beyond TV viewers to include the fast growing market of PCs viewers with access
to broadband multimedia applications, which receive rich, dynamic content via satellite,
cable, ADSL or digital terrestrial networks.
"Eagle Rock will provide their content to the jointly developed channel, while Fantastic will
aggregate the content into an interactive multimedia channel. The channel will contain live
transmission from concerts, including backstage and front row coverage. Additionally, live
star interviews, discographs and audience control cameras will enhance viewers' enjoyment
of the event. E-commerce will also be a part of the channel, with the possibility to purchase
music CD's, singles and merchandise.
"In addition to live events, the channel will contain Eagle Rock library events and third party
content aggregated by Eagle Rock. The content will be combined to create daily updates on
the channel. Eagle Rock provides music events from such leading artists as Rolling Stones,
Joe Cocker, Janet Jackson, Michael Bolton, Spice Girls and Joni Mitchell. The commercial
launch of the channel is planned for 2000.
"'We have developed the skill to manage music event television across a broad variety of
media. With our exciting partnership with Fantastic, we will be able to target a new type of
consumer while better serving our existing market, via PC or TV, regardless of the type of
broadband network they use,' says Greg Roselli, Director of Visual Programmes and New
Media, Eagle Rock Entertainment.
"Lars Tvede, Co-founder and SVP of The Fantastic Corporation, explains, 'Our partnership
with Eagle Rock expands our offering of mainstream content applications. A live music event
is unique, and the combination of interactivity and broadcast gives us a possibility to create a
unique way of distributing these events"
fantastic.ch THE FANTASTIC CORPORATION LAUNCHES
OPERATIONS IN JAPAN FOR ITS BROADBAND MULTIMEDIA SOLUTIONS 10-02-99
"The Fantastic Corporation today announced the opening of its JAPAN office, and the
appointment of Mr Kikuzo Abe as the Sales Director.
"Fantastic has created a complete end-to-end solution for broadband multimedia content
distribution to PCs and set-top boxes.
"SINGAPORE - February 10, 1999 - The Fantastic Corporation, the world leader in
broadband multimedia software solutions, today announced the opening of a new office in
Tokyo, the first in Japan. Leading the Tokyo office in sales efforts will be Mr Kikuzo Abe, who
has been appointed Sales Director for Fantastic Japan.
"The Fantastic Corporation has created the first complete end-to-end solution in the world for
broadband multimedia distribution - merging the wealth of content and interactivity of the PC
environment with the speed and reach of the TV broadcast world. The Fantastic solution
delivers content to PCs and next
generation set-top boxes at up to 38Mbps - over 1,000 times faster than a standard modem.
"'Fantastic's move to Tokyo is timely because the Japanese market is now ready and
receptive to broadband distribution. We will introduce solutions that has been successfully
deployed in USA and Europe, to Japanese network operators and content providers,' said Mr
Thomas Dijohn, Vice President - Asia Pacific, The Fantastic Corporation. 'Companies in
Japan can now have an instant link to their customers, employees and business partners
using Fantastic's solutions, driving a host of new applications from online distance learning,
crisis management to interactive kiosks.'"
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With the usual caution that the existence of a Wave-Fantastic partnership does not necessarily imply that therefore every Fantastic relationship also implies a specific Wave relationship, new developments for Fantastic at least indicate possible opportunities for Wave. Yesterday Fantastic and Lucent announced an OEM agreement "for multimedia broadband solutions" that "will enable Lucent customers to offer enhanced broadband multimedia services to subscribers":
lucent.com
Thanks to DooWop and Ducati for the above.
Steve |
