Orcadian Engy Regulatory News (ORCA)

29 Aug 2007 07:01

Orca Interactive Ltd29 August 2007 Blockbuster Israel Signs $3m Deal With Orca Interactive to Take Orca's UniqueCombined IPTV and WebTV Solution Orca newly-launched first to market technology will enable Blockbuster Israel todeliver digital content services to subscribers Ra'anana, Israel - August 29, 2007 - Orca Interactive Ltd. (LSE: ORCA), a marketpioneer in providing IPTV middleware and applications, today announced that ithas signed a $3m deal with Blockbuster Israel, the Israeli franchise ofBlockbuster Inc, the leading global provider of in-home rental, retail movieand game entertainment. Orca is also announcing that it is first to market with a unique combined IPTVand WebTV solution. This innovative new WebTV technology will enable Blockbusterto deliver advanced digital content services to its subscribers. Expanding on Orca Interactive's cutting edge RiGHTv middleware platform withall-new capabilities, the combined IPTV and WebTV solution supports both managedand unmanaged environments, eliminating boundaries to help service providersexpand their customer base and market reach. IPTV service providers will also beable to broaden offerings to existing subscribers with anytime, anywhere TVservices for on-the-go digital content over mobile PCs. In addition, contentofferings can be extended beyond IPTV to enable WebTV, diverse multimedia, nichecontent and user generated content (UGC). Using Orca's new combined solution, Blockbuster Israel will launch a newInternet service for progressive download of up-to-date digital content over PCsby the end of the year. In early 2008, Blockbuster Israel plans to provide anIPTV-ready STB to enable TV connectivity from the PC and advanced services suchas Push VOD and HDTV, followed by a complete digital TV offering. "This announcement marks a new era for Blockbuster Israel, driving us to theforefront of next-generation video services and demonstrating our marketleadership. Breaking new ground with a cutting-edge Web service, we can nowdeliver the latest movies and television series directly to subscribers' homesthrough an advanced digital platform", commented Ofer Lowy, Chairman ofBlockbuster Israel. "Orca's unique solution powers high quality interactive TVand digital content services, so that our subscribers can benefit from a triplebundle of local branches and vending machines, Web content and a full IPTVpackage in the future." "We are thrilled to launch our revolutionary WebTV offering, while enablingBlockbuster Israel to deliver advanced digital content services", said HaggaiBarel, CEO of Orca Interactive. "WebTV can help IPTV players today protect theirmarket share and maintain a competitive edge. As the first to market with thisunique combined IPTV and WebTV solution, Orca is yet again pioneering the futureof IPTV - this time leading the market towards total convergence of managed andunmanaged services for top-notch home entertainment." Orca first announced its involvement with Blockbuster Israel in December 2005,though at the time Orca was unable to disclose the identity of its partner. Atthe time of that announcement, Orca also announced an agreement to acquire astake in Blockbuster Israel for $2.5m and now owns 33.33% of the company. About Blockbuster Israel Blockbuster Israel, a franchise of Blockbuster Inc., is a leading provider ofin-home rental, retail movie and game entertainment. With 30 branches and 250DVD vending machines across Israel, Blockbuster Israel delivers the best contentand the widest selection of movies, television series, games, music and more fortop-quality home entertainment. For further information please visitwww.bbm.co.il. About Orca Interactive Orca Interactive (LSE:ORCA) is a market pioneer and innovation leader inproviding IPTV middleware and applications, bringing the power of nextgeneration interactive TV to help service providers and broadband networkoperators drive growth. Revolutionizing the way people consume televisioncontent, Orca Interactive's dynamic IP video and feature-rich multimediasolutions combine live TV, video on demand (VOD), personal video recording(PVR), home media and personalized services, including the latest in contentdiscovery and user generated content, across a multi-device platform, and overthe Internet through its unique WebTV solution. Orca Interactive's proven RiGHTvsolution is System Integrator (SI)-enabled, providing a flexible approach fortailored IPTV solutions with leading vendors across the value chain. OrcaInteractive has diverse experience in delivering cutting-edge interactiveservices and applications, enabling operators and triple-play providers todeliver the ultimate IPTV experience. Founded in 1996, Orca Interactive is based in Ra'anana, Israel and is part ofthe Emblaze Group. For more information visit www.orcainteractive.com. Enquiries: Haggai Barel, CEOOrca Interactive+972 9 7699400 James Melville-RossFD+44 20 7831 3113 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange