MIRA.L Regulatory News (MIRA)

2 Nov 2005 07:00

Yoomedia PLC02 November 2005 YooMedia plc / Ticker: Yoo / Index: AIM / Sector: Media 2 November 2005 YooMedia plc and Gemstar-TV Guide to launch digital version of Gemstar-TV Guide's GUIDE Plus+ EPG in the UK YooMedia plc, the AIM traded interactive content and services provider, hassigned a multi-year agreement with Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc. (NASDAQ:GMST), a leading, global media, entertainment and technology company, to deliverGemstar-TV Guide's GUIDE Plus+ electronic program guide to Freeview digital settop boxes, digital recorders and televisions in the UK. The GUIDE Plus+ EPG isa subscription-free, seven-day guide that allows consumers to quickly andeasily navigate, sort, select, and schedule television programming for viewingor recording, simply by pressing a button. Under the agreement, GUIDE Plus+ will be built into leading manufacturers'digital electronic devices and will be supported by YooMedia's unique newfacility on Freeview, known as "datacasting." In addition, YooMedia and Gemstar-TV Guide will collaborate to research anddevelop value-added rich-media interactive services, including advertising,integrated with the GUIDE Plus+ EPG. A leader in television information and guidance, Gemstar-TV Guide is best knownin the UK as the inventor and provider of the VIDEO Plus+(R) recordingtechnology, an instant recording system that gives users a simple way to recordtelevision programs in VCRs and DVD recorders. YooMedia's Group Managing Director, Neil MacDonald, said: "We are delighted toannounce the availability of our datacasting service on Freeview and work inpartnership with Gemstar-TV Guide, one of the most significant companies indigital television today, to deliver its industry-leading EPG to consumersthroughout the UK." Lydie Levy, Gemstar-TV Guide's European Managing Director, said: "I am verypleased to announce the launch of our GUIDE Plus+ service on digital terrestrialin conjunction with such a well-respected and technically-proficient partner asYooMedia. This relationship will further extend our ability to provide classleading guidance technology to television viewers." Gemstar-TV Guide's EPGs are built directly into consumer electronics products,including digital televisions, digital video recorders and DVD recorders. Theguide requires no subscription or phone connection and is available at no extracost to the consumer. Gemstar-TV Guide has licensing agreements with more than adozen consumer electronics manufacturers worldwide. * * ENDS * * Contacts: Neil MacDonald YooMedia PLC Tel: 020 7462 0870 Isabel Crossley St Brides Media & Finance Ltd Tel: 020 7242 4477 Georgia Juvelis Gemstar-TV Guide georgia.juvelis@tvguide.com 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. About Gemstar-TV Guide Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc. (NASDAQ: GMST) is a leading media,entertainment and technology company that develops, licenses, markets anddistributes technologies, products and services targeted at the televisionguidance and home entertainment needs of consumers worldwide. The Company'sbusinesses include: television media and publishing properties; interactiveprogram guide services and products; and technology and intellectual propertylicensing. Additional information about the Company can be found atwww.gemstartvguide.com. This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks anduncertainties, including risks and uncertainties related to declines in ourmagazine publishing business; timely availability and market acceptance ofproducts and services incorporating the Company's technologies and content; ourinvestment in new and existing businesses, including TV Guide magazine, InsideTV, and TV Guide Spot; limitations on our ability to control certain jointventure or partnership businesses; the impact of competitive products andpricing; ongoing and potential future litigation; and the other risks detailedfrom time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including the most recentreports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, each as it may be amended from time totime. The Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-lookingstatements. Note to Editors: Gemstar and TV Guide are trademarks of Gemstar-TV GuideInternational, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. The names of other companies andproducts used herein are for identification purposes only and may be trademarksof their respective owners. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange