MIRA.L Regulatory News (MIRA)

4 Nov 2005 07:00

Yoomedia PLC04 November 2005 YooMedia plc / Ticker: Yoo / Index: AIM / Sector: Media 4 November 2005 YooMedia plc Enters into Worldwide 3G Video Content Market with ICTV YooMedia plc, the AIM traded interactive content and services provider, and ICTVhave expanded their joint venture agreement to develop and exclusively marketrich media interactive content solutions and services for the worldwide 3Gmobile market. The joint venture company, BroadbandTV Group, utilizesYooMedia's cross platform interactive media gateway and services and ICTV'sHeadendWare(R) technology, which have already been successfully integrated fordigital television and are currently under trial in the UK with ntl. BroadbandTV Group aims to operate and provide a unique enhanced 3G interactivevideo gateway for 3G network operators, television broadcasters, contentpublishers, content producers and advertisers. ICTV's HeadendWare(R) enables a content delivery network that brings broadbandweb delivery techniques and tools to 3G including Flash(R) and Shockwave(R)animation, high quality streaming audio and full motion video. YooMedia'sproprietary interactive services include the Dateline Mobile service, theworld's first mobile phone video dating service to deliver live video matchingfor singles, which recently was named Best Mobile TV Channel or Service atMIPCOM's inaugural Mobile Day. BroadbandTV Group has already developed and aggregated a wide-ranginginteractive UK programming package through its Content Partner Programme,including ITN, MTV Networks, Emap, Turner Broadcasting, Sesame Workshop andUKTV. The Directors believe that this partnership is an important strategic step forthe Company and anticipate that the relationship will make a growingcontribution to its financial results during the year ending 31 December 2006and beyond. YooMedia's Group Managing Director, Neil MacDonald, said "This is anotherexciting step in the development of cutting edge and compelling products andservices for the YooMedia interactive portfolio. There is tremendous marketpotential, for example, in the ability of our YooMedia Dating services to reachsingles across a combination of mobile, PC and digital television devices." One of the fastest growing technologies worldwide, 3G service is currentlyoffered over more than 75 networks in 36 countries, with subscriber numbersestimated to grow to approximately 240 million in the next four years. A totalof 26 hardware suppliers manufacture and distribute more than 170 3G handsetsand devices. Jeff Miller, President and Chief Executive Officer of ICTV, added: "While 3Grepresents a large potential market, the diversity of devices and networks andthe need to reach across other media underscores the need for a unifiedsolution. By combining the power of HeadendWare(R) with YooMedia's innovativeapplications, Broadband TV is able to rapidly and cost-effectively deliver richmedia services across PCs, mobile devices and advanced digital television." * * ENDS * * Contacts: Neil MacDonald YooMedia plc Tel: 020 7462 0870 Isabel Crossley St Brides Media & Finance Ltd Tel: 020 7242 4477 Notes on YooMedia plc YooMedia is one of the fastest growing interactive entertainment companies inthe UK. Essentially, it develops and delivers premium interactive content andservices to households and individuals via TV, the web, telephony and mobilephones. It has four main divisions: • YooMedia Dating - manages dating brands including Dateline and Avenues from over 20 locations throughout the UK. Operates across traditional media, digital TV, internet and mobile phones. • YooMedia Gambling & Games - interactive fixed odds, play for fun casino and poker related games services for digital TV, the web and mobile phones. Brands include Avago and Channel 425. It also manages YooPlay, the only interactive games channel found on all four Digital TV platforms in the UK. • YooMedia Enhanced Solutions (YES) - delivers interactive content that enhances consumer and audience experiences. Customers include the BBC, Nestle, Celador, William Hill, Channel 4, ZipTV, The Cartoon Network and HR Owen. • YooMedia Public Sector - provides digital solutions/media services to leading public sector organisations including the NHS Direct Interactive TV service for the Department of Health, the Learning and Skills Council TV Kickstart service and a range of local authority TV services. The Group's experienced management team includes: Chairman, Dr. MichaelSinclair, who holds a number of directorships in both the UK and the USA havingpreviously founded Lifetime Corporation; and Managing Director, Neil MacDonald,whose career spans 11 years in multimedia and interactive sectors plus a further19 years in the retail industry. Notes on ICTV(TM) ICTV offers a solutions-oriented approach for the delivery of new televisionservices to cable and telco subscribers that combines the standards-basedtechnology of the ICTV HeadendWare platform with a portfolio of branded iTVapplications and personalized interactive programming and addressableadvertising opportunities. The company is based in the heart of California'sSilicon Valley, with offices in Baltimore and the UK. Strategic investorsinclude Liberty Media, Motorola, OpenTV, Shaw Communications, Cox Communicationsand Lauder Partners. For more information, visit www.ictv.com. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange