11 Feb 2010 07:00
| Date: | 11 February 2010 |
| On behalf of: | NetPlay TV plc ('the Company' or 'NetPlay') |
| Embargoed for: | 0700hrs |
NetPlay TV plc
¡ New two year deal with STV
¡ Update on Channel Five trading
NetPlay TV plc (AIM: NPT), the interactive gaming company, is pleased to announce a new two year TV distribution deal with STV Group plc ("STV") to broadcast ChallengeJackpot.com, one of its key branded TV shows, live on the late night schedule, six nights a week (Monday to Saturday). Broadcasting is scheduled to start from Friday, 12 February 2010.
STV is the biggest commercial broadcaster in Scotland reaching over 4 million viewers every month. The broadcast of the service on STV will be supported by additional TV, web, cinema and press advertising.
ChallengeJackpot.com is also broadcast live on Virgin 1, and Bravo 2 seven nights a week. The show allows viewers to interact with the TV programme, placing real cash bets on a live roulette wheel. The show brings all the fun, excitement and trust of the casino without the player having to leave his or her living room.
The agreement follows a successful trial during the final quarter of 2009. In late September 2009, NetPlay TV signed a landmark five year deal with Channel Five for the broadcast of its SuperCasino.com brand. Since launch the gross bets and deposits of this service have increased considerably showing a 36% growth in the fourth quarter of 2009 over the previous quarter. This growth has continued in 2010.
Commenting, Martin Higginson, Group Chief Executive of NetPlay TV plc, said:
"I am extremely pleased to have entered into this two year deal with STV. As a result we will be able to offer a much improved service offering, a wider range of games, and jackpots. Furthermore by adding more broadcast channels to this service we are able to improve the quality of the TV show, further differentiating ourselves as the leading interactive TV gaming company.
"This agreement builds on the pivotal deal we signed with Channel Five. Confirmation of the increase in top line bets, deposits and sign ups proves our belief in TV as a new and exciting distribution channel for gaming services. The change in Ofcom rules, in July 2009, has enabled us to secure the majority of TV distribution channels in the UK. With these secured, we believe NetPlay TV is now well positioned to dominate this space and create a significant new gaming market."
David Archer, Managing Director of STV Ventures said:
"The recent OFCOM ruling in June 2009 allowed us to explore new revenue generating options. We moved quickly to take advantage of this in September 2009 by launching an exciting new interactive TV casino product on STV in conjunction with Netplay TV. NetPlay TV was able to provide us with a fully regulated service and following a successful trial we are delighted to agree a new two year deal with them."
NetPlayTV is recognised as the largest interactive TV gaming company in the world now regularly paying out over £1.5m in winnings each day. The service is fully regulated by the Alderney Gambling Commissions allowing users to interact with the service with peace of mind.
Following the change in Ofcom rules in July 2009 the Company has invested heavily in ensuring it has secured the majority of terrestrial airtime deals available to the gaming sector. It has now secured long terms deals with Channel Five, STV, Virgin Media Television, Sky and FreeSat. It has proved this method of distribution is welcomed by its customers and continues to see topline growth in terms of bets, deposits and sign-ups. The company is now focused on maximising profits from its business, including the migration of the SuperCasino.com service to Alderney later this month.
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Enquiries:
| NetPlay TV plc |
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| Martin Higginson, Executive Chairman | www.netplaytv.plc.uk |
| Via Redleaf |
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| Redleaf Communications | Tel: 020 7566 6700 |
| Emma Kane/Mike Ward/Lucy Salaman | netplay@redleafpr.com |
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| Panmure Gordon | Tel: 020 7459 3600 |
| Adam Pollock/Stuart Gledhill |
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Notes to Editors:
§ Publication photographs are available from Redleaf Communications or www.redleafpr.com
About NetPlay TV plc
NetPlay TV plc is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange (NPT). NetPlay TV operates a number of interactive gaming services under UK, Malta and Alderney gaming licenses, including www.SuperCasino.com, Challengejackpot.com and www.bingos.com. These services can also be viewed 24 hours a day live on Sky Channel 866 and 867, every evening on Freeview Virgin 1, 1am - 4am on Bravo TV and 24/7 on Virgin Channel 141.
The Company is focused on the delivery of a converged interactive gaming experience allowing its customers to interact with its games on a variety of platforms, TV, internet and mobile from a common integrated wallet.