VITA.L Regulatory News (VITA)

26 Nov 2007 07:01

Cellcast plc26 November 2007 Cellcast plc ("Cellcast" or "the Company") SUMO.tv joins major broadcasters in content deal with leading network site Bebo Highlights • Cellcast's wholly-owned subsidiary SUMO.tv in distribution deal with Bebo.com • SUMO.tv is among the launch channels on Bebo's Open Media platform, alongside the BBC, ITN, Channel 4, BSkyB, Endemol, CBS, Turner, MTV, ESPN and others • With 40 million members, Bebo is the largest social network in the UK and the third largest in the US • James Brown, Group Creative and Editorial Director of SUMO.tv, says the alliance recognises SUMO as a genuine destination for the UGC generation • Deal is the result of SUMO.tv's strategy to extend its UK and international reach through targeted social networking platforms Cellcast plc (AIM: CLTV), the global interactive digital broadcaster, announcesthat SUMO.tv is among the initial group of broadcasters - including BBC, ITN,Channel 4, BSkyB, Endemol, CBS, Turner, MTV and ESPN - to distribute content tothe 40 million-strong community on the fast growing social networking site Bebo. SUMO.tv is the world's first media network to seamlessly integrateuser-generated content (UGC) into television programming, internet and mobileservices, using its proprietary technical services architecture. Bebo is the largest social network in the UK and the third largest in the US.Its Open Media Platform, launched in November 2007, offers its members freecontent from major broadcasters, who receive 100% of revenues from in-videoadvertising.SUMO.tv delivers a rich source of user generated content to a target audience of15-24 year olds, who spend an average of almost 40 minutes per day on Bebo. SUMO.tv's community web editors are taking submissions from Bebo members forinclusion on the mySUMO television programme, which showcases user generatedcontent in the UK. The best of this content is featured on its own TV channel,which broadcasts 24 hours a day. Commenting on the Bebo deal, Andrew Wilson, CEO of Cellcast, said: "We are verypleased to be among the first broadcasters to bring content to Bebo's uniqueenvironment and we know its members will find new entertainment and challengesin SUMO's exclusive online and TV channels." James Brown, Group Creative and Editorial Director of SUMO.tv, added: "Ouralliance with Bebo reinforces the position of SUMO.tv as a genuine destinationfor the UGC generation. The unique blend of content uploaded by SUMO users isdriving a fast-growing domestic and international audience across multiplewebsites, television channels, and mobile platforms." Following the launch of its content on Bebo, SUMO.tv expects to announce furtherdistribution deals with social networking platforms as part of its strategy toextend its UK and international reach. - Ends -For further information: Cellcast plcAndrew Wilson, CEO Tel: +44 (0) 20 7190 0300andrew@cellcast.tv www.cellcast.tv Media enquiries:Threadneedle CommunicationsGraham Herring / Josh Royston Tel: +44 (0) 20 7936 9605graham.herring@threadneedlepr.co.uk HB CorporateEdward Hutton / Rachel Kane Tel: +44 (0) 20 7510 8600 www.hbcorporate.co.uk About Cellcast plc Cellcast plc (AIM: CLTV) is a leading international provider of participationtelevision applications and interactive mobile content in the fast-growingmulti-platform digital entertainment sector. Headquartered in London, withassociated operations in Paris, Beirut, Mumbai, Hong Kong and Sao Paolo,Cellcast's applications and programming are distributed on the Sky Digital andFreeview platforms in the UK, and the company is partnered with broadcasters andtelecom networks in Europe, the Middle East, India, South-East Asia, China, andSouth America. Cellcast plc joined AIM in 2005. About SUMO.tv SUMO.tv is the world's first social media network to seamlessly integrateuser-generated content (UGC) into television programming, internet and mobileservices, using its proprietary technical services architecture. SUMO.tv is the UK's leading video sharing community, accessible online atwww.sumo.tv and with its own TV channel, SKY channel 144. SUMO enjoyed a 25%increase in online traffic in the third quarter of 2007, with over 4 millionunique users visiting the website each month. Its Alexa web ranking now exceedsthat of national UK broadcasters Five, ITV and Channel 4, and users have createdover 3,000 alternative online channels to show their content to a worldwideaudience. The opportunity to appear on the MySUMO TV show is building not only aUK community but also attracting content submissions from a fast-growinginternational audience, including viewers in Japan, Australia, Brazil and Chile.SUMO.tv has commenced international distribution on the European IPTV platformZattoo, and via mobile in Australia and New Zealand through its exclusiveAustralasia distributor Hyro. Further IPTV and mobile distribution agreementsare being finalised in France, South Africa and Israel, and master licenceagreements are under discussion in the USA, Brazil and Turkey. SUMO.tv is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cellcast plc. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange