ICTV(TM) Adds Live Stream Interactivity Through Merger With Switched Media(TM)

ICTV(TM) Adds Live Stream Interactivity Through Merger With Switched Media(TM)

LOS GATOS, Calif., Feb. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- ICTV(TM), creator of HeadendWare(R), the most powerful platform for the delivery and distribution of interactive television content, today announced that it is merging with Switched Media(TM), a developer of solutions for mass customization of live video streams.

The agreement will enable the combined companies, which will retain the ICTV name, to deliver personalized, Web-driven content to television that combines the live stream video processing capabilities of Switched Media's InStream(TM) solution with the interactive capabilities of HeadendWare. In addition, the entire Switched Media team will join ICTV, strengthening the world-class technical and management teams of ICTV.

Based in San Francisco, Switched Media has developed a proprietary software solution that enables processing and manipulation of compressed digital video streams without costly decode and re-encode cycles. The solution provides a tool set including live stream scaling, overlays and animations for cost-effective, scalable full personalization of video at the network edge. The technology, which runs on standard rack-mounted PC hardware and operating systems, enables network operators and programmers to provide subscribers with a personalized, Web-driven television experience that seamlessly blends interactive content with live video streams.

"The television industry today is facing unprecedented change," said Jeff Miller, president and CEO of ICTV. "The emergence of new distribution channels and viewing devices has given more power to consumers and increased accountability to advertisers, both of whom have grown accustomed to the personalization and control of the Internet. The combined technologies of Switched Media and ICTV will enable network operators, programmers and advertisers to create a personalized interactive subscriber viewing experience within any video stream - including live television and Web video - on any cable or IPTV set-top box, or mobile device."

"Too often, the isolated and exclusive environments of live TV and interactive applications have forced programmers and network operators to choose between live video and interactivity," said Ed Forman, CEO and co- founder of Switched Media. "When we founded Switched Media, it was with the intent of bringing personalization and interactivity to live television, and creating a compelling, immersive viewer experience. By combining the capabilities of Switched Media and ICTV, we will enable programmers and network operators to deliver interactive video applications such as mosaics and local overlays that combine live television with Web-powered content into a single, targeted TV programming stream."

Forman, who had been senior vice president of marketing for ICTV before co-founding Switched Media, will return to ICTV as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Michael Taylor, who has served as vice president, business development for both BigBand Networks and nCube, will join ICTV as Senior Vice President of Business Development and Distribution. Jeremy Edmonds, an industry leader in compressed domain video processing, has joined ICTV as System Architect.

ICTV expects to demonstrate solutions based on the integration of Switched Media and ICTV technologies at the CableLabs Winter Conference February 26-28 in Colorado Springs.

About ICTV(TM)

ICTV offers a network-based solution for the delivery of Web-driven content to cable and IPTV subscribers. The company's HeadendWare platform enables programmers to deliver the highest quality interactive television experience - including animation, high-fidelity audio, and live and Web video. Using ICTV technology, programmers and advertisers can deliver a limitless array of personalized content and advertising, all developed and managed with open Web tools, technology, and talent. 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/.

HeadendWare is a registered trademark and ICTV and Switched Media are trademarks of ICTV, Inc.

Source: ICTV

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

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

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