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International Entertainment News

Monday, November 07, 2005

ICTV, YooMedia plc Enter into Worldwide 3G Video Content Market

ICTV, YooMedia plc Enter into Worldwide 3G Video Content Market

LOS GATOS, Calif., Nov. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- YooMedia plc, the AIM traded interactive content and services provider, and ICTV have expanded their joint venture agreement to develop and exclusively market rich media interactive content solutions and services for the worldwide 3G mobile market. The joint venture company, BroadbandTV Group, utilizes YooMedia's cross platform interactive media gateway and services and ICTV's HeadendWare(R) technology, which have already been successfully integrated for digital television and are currently under trial in the UK with ntl.

BroadbandTV Group aims to operate and provide a unique enhanced 3G interactive video gateway for 3G network operators, television broadcasters, content publishers, content producers and advertisers.

ICTV's HeadendWare(R) enables a content delivery network that brings broadband web delivery techniques and tools to 3G including Flash(R) and Shockwave(R) animation, high quality streaming audio and full motion video. YooMedia's proprietary interactive services include the Dateline Mobile service, the world's first mobile phone video dating service to deliver live video matching for singles, which recently was named Best Mobile TV Channel or Service at MIPCOM's inaugural Mobile Day.

BroadbandTV Group has already developed and aggregated a wide-ranging interactive UK programming package through its Content Partner Programme, including ITN, MTV Networks, Emap, Turner Broadcasting, Sesame Workshop and UKTV.

The Directors believe that this partnership is an important strategic step for the Company and anticipate that the relationship will make a growing contribution to its financial results during the year ending 31 December 2006 and beyond.

YooMedia's Group Managing Director, Neil MacDonald, said "This is another exciting step in the development of cutting edge and compelling products and services for the YooMedia interactive portfolio. There is tremendous market potential, for example, in the ability of our YooMedia Dating services to reach singles across a combination of mobile, PC and digital television devices."

One of the fastest growing technologies worldwide, 3G service is currently offered over more than 75 networks in 36 countries, with subscriber numbers estimated to grow to approximately 240 million in the next four years. A total of 26 hardware suppliers manufacture and distribute more than 170 3G handsets and devices.

Jeff Miller, President and Chief Executive Officer of ICTV, added: "While 3G represents a large potential market, the diversity of devices and networks and the need to reach across other media underscores the need for a unified solution. By combining the power of HeadendWare(R) with YooMedia's innovative applications, Broadband TV is able to rapidly and cost-effectively deliver rich media services across PCs, mobile devices and advanced digital television."

About HeadendWare(R)

ICTV HeadendWare enables network operators to deliver the widest variety of interactive programming and advertising to any digital set-top box. Combining centralized application servers and existing cable, telco or wireless infrastructure, HeadendWare uniquely removes middleware constraints and allows the delivery of a high-quality Web-based interactive television experience -- including animation, high-fidelity audio and full motion video. HeadendWare supports the latest versions of HTML, JavaScript(TM), Java(TM), Windows Media Player(R), Flash(R), RealPlayer(R) and QuickTime(R), enabling network operators and advertisers to reach subscribers with a limitless array of content, applications, branding and addressable advertising opportunities.

About ICTV(TM)

ICTV offers a solutions-oriented approach for the delivery of new television services to cable and telco subscribers that combines the standards-based technology of the ICTV HeadendWare platform with a portfolio of branded iTV applications and personalized interactive programming and addressable advertising opportunities. The company is based in the heart of California's Silicon Valley, with offices in Baltimore and the United Kingdom.

Strategic investors include Liberty Media, Motorola, OpenTV, Cox Communications and Lauder Partners. For more information, visit http://www.ictv.com/.

About YooMedia plc

YooMedia is one of the fastest growing interactive entertainment companies in the UK. Essentially, it develops and delivers premium interactive content and services to households and individuals via TV, the web, telephony and mobile phones. 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. Michael Sinclair, who holds a number of directorships in both the UK and the USA having previously founded Lifetime Corporation; and Managing Director, Neil MacDonald, whose career spans 11 years in multimedia and interactive sectors plus a further 19 years in the retail industry.

HeadendWare is a registered trademark and ICTV is a trademark of ICTV, Inc.

Source: ICTV

CONTACT: Paul Schneider of PSPR, Inc. for ICTV, +1-215-702-9784,
pspr@att.net

Web site: http://www.ictv.com/

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