Hi All,
Interesting article announcing the agreement between Cablevision (CVC) and Liberate Technologies (LBRT) yesterday. Cablevision will use the LBRT platform to deliver an interactive program guide (IPG) from SourceGuide. This interactive program guide from Source Media allows for instant access to and information about the wealth of programming available on the Cablevision system. This is delivered on a Motorola box...
Some History:
Source Media (SRCM)had filed a law suit ($60,000,000) against TV Guide for breach of contract (an agreement entered into in September 1998). Source Media asserts that TV Guide repeatedly made public statements which were inaccurate and which disclosed to third parties confidential information relating to Source Media's intellectual property and proprietary trade secrets.
Naturally TV Guide counter-sued ($3,000,000), but over an agreement between a new joint venture between Source Media and Insight Communications (ICCI). Smart Media and TV Guide settled out of court on September 15, 1999. Smart Media ublicly stated after the settlement: "We feel that this settlement vindicates our position and affirms the viability of Source Media's patents."
Anyone have a perspective whether or not this is a blow for GMST? (And can someone address not only the not part of that question but also offer a critical perspective as well?) Does anyone know if Smart Media's IPG is serious competition for GMST?
Thanks to all and good luck,
Eric
Good luck,
Eric
biz.yahoo.com
Tuesday September 5, 6:01 am Eastern Time
Press Release
Liberate to Provide Software for Cablevision's
Interactive Program Guide Service in Boston
Service to Deliver Interactivity to Boston Area Subscribers
SAN CARLOS, Calif., Sept. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Liberate Technologies (Nasdaq: LBRT - news), a leading provider of software for the delivery of Internet enhanced television content, today announced that Cablevision System Corporation (NYSE: CVC - news) will use the Liberate software platform to deliver interactivity to its Boston area cable subscribers this fall.
Cablevision has licensed the Liberate TV Platform(TM) software, which enables cable, satellite and telecommunication companies to deliver applications that integrate the Web's interactivity with the richness of TV-based content. Cablevision will use the platform to deliver an interactive program guide when it launches digital services to approximately 200,000 homes in Boston and surrounding suburban communities later this year.
``Liberate was able to provide us with the best platform to immediately offer our customers next generation services on the basic digital set-tops we already have deployed,'' said Wilt Hildenbrand, CTO, Cablevision. ``Liberate's dedication to open standards technology, as well as its ability to rapidly deploy and support our needs, were important criteria in making our decision for Boston.''
``Our work with Cablevision serves as a great example of how rapidly Liberate, as a company and a technology provider,
responds to the needs of its customers,'' said Steve Weinstein, CTO, Liberate Technologies. ``Cablevision is a leader in technology advances in the US market, and the decision to deliver interactivity to Boston with our platform will help them maintain that leadership.''
Initially, Boston area Cablevision subscribers will have access to the SourceGuide interactive program guide from Source Media, which allows for instant access to and information about the wealth of programming available on the Cablevision system. Cablevision currently uses the Motorola DCT 2000 digital set-top box, which has been integrated with the Liberate TV Platform software. The Liberate Connect (TM) server software component of the platform affords Cablevision the ability to incorporate higher performance set-top boxes into their system at a later date, and support them from the same server.
The Liberate TV Platform software is composed of Liberate TV Navigator(TM) client software and Liberate Connect server
software, which lets network operators deliver new applications and functionality to a wide range of set-top boxes. Using open Internet and international broadcast standards, Liberate provides an efficient client and server platform that combines the best of both the Internet and television into one compelling, interactive medium -- enhanced TV.
About Liberate
Liberate Technologies is a leading provider of a complete software platform for delivering Internet-enhanced content and applications to information appliances, such as television set-top boxes and game consoles. Liberate's Internet-based client and server software allows network operators, such as telecommunications companies, cable and satellite television operators and Internet service providers to provide consumers access to network operator-branded applications and services. Headquartered in San Carlos, California, the company has sales offices in the U.S., Canada and the U.K.
Early investors in Liberate include: Acer, America Online, Comcast, Cox Communications, General Instrument, Hambrecht &
Quist, Lucent Technologies, Netscape, Nintendo, Mediaone Ventures, Oracle, Rogers Communications, Sega, Shaw
Communications, Sony, Sun Microsystems, and Wind River Systems.
About Cablevision
Cablevision Systems Corporation is one of the nation's leading entertainment, media and telecommunications companies. In addition to its broadband, cable, Internet and telephone offerings, the company owns and operates Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc. and its networks; Madison Square Garden and its teams; Clearview Cinemas and THE WIZ consumer electronics chain. In addition, Cablevision operates New York's famed Radio City Music Hall.
NOTE: Liberate, Liberate TV Platform, Liberate TV Navigator, Liberate Connect and the Liberate logo are trademarks of
Liberate Technologies. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. |
