NBC Universal and MobiTV Announce First-Ever Wireless Deal for Full-Length Primetime on Demand Programming
Primetime Offer to Include 'Heroes,' 'Friday Night Lights,'
'The Office,' 'Monk,'
'Battlestar Galactica' and 'Work Out' Additional NBCU Channels
to Launch on MobiTV Include Bravo, SCI FI, USA, Telemundo and mun2
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, NJ and EMERYVILLE, CA – March 14, 2007 – NBC
Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies and
MobiTV, Inc., the global leader in mobile and broadband television and music
services, today announced a breakthrough deal to make full-length primetime
on demand programming available over US wireless networks for the first time. In
addition to a robust primetime video-on-demand line-up, the two companies
will offer select short form programming from Bravo, SCI FI Channel, USA
Network, Telemundo and mun2 on five new ad-supported channels to subscribers,
which will debut on the MobiTV® service in second quarter. CNBC and MSNBC
were among the first networks launched on the MobiTV service in 2003 to create
the world’s first commercially available mobile television service.
"This is an extraordinary partnership with MobiTV and we’re excited
to be the first major network to offer our viewers wireless access to their
favorite primetime shows on demand," commented Jean-Briac (JB) Perrette,
president, NBC Universal Digital Distribution. "In addition, this
groundbreaking deal with MobiTV will create another platform for NBCU's partner
advertisers to reach their audience."
"As part of the original cast of network trendsetters who played a
role in the launch of the MobiTV service back in 2003, we are honored NBC
Universal chose to partner with MobiTV again, setting new trends in mobile
content delivery by offering this top rated, full-length primetime programming," said
Jeff Bartee, vice president content and programming for MobiTV. "This
deal represents a significant milestone in the history of television and
a key advancement in the mobile television category. NBC Universal
has shown tremendous foresight in realizing this opportunity early, and demonstrated
an ability to move aggressively in leveraging this new and rapidly growing
distribution channel to better reach their loyal viewers."
Consumers will be able to access full episodes of select NBCU primetime
shows starting at $1.99 for a 24-hour viewing period, although these rates
are subject to change by participating wireless carriers. Current seasons
of shows produced by NBCU Television Studios will be offered including "The
Office" and "Heroes" from NBC, USA's "Monk," and
SCI FI's "Battlestar Galactica." Several ad-supported on
demand shows will also be available at no additional charge from within the
MobiTV base subscription channel package including NBC's high school football
drama, "Friday Night Lights," also produced by NBCU Television
Studios and Bravo’s new reality series "Shear Genius" and
returning docu-drama "Work Out."
In another first, Telemundo will offer full-length episodes of telenovelas
such as "Pasion de Gavilanes" and "Decisiones." Select
video clips from its popular morning talk show, "Cada Dia" and
telenovelas "Marina" and "Dame Chocolate" will also be
available to viewers. In addition, bilingual cable network mun2 will
offer full episodes of "The Chicas Project" as well as select clips
of all network shows including "Vivo," "One Nation Under Hip-Hop," and "The
mun2 Shift."
Also, NBCU will offer a live linear feed of its CNBC programming online
via MobiTV’s online television service available as part of a subscription
service to subscribers with a broadband Internet connection.
NBC Universal Digital Distribution
NBC Universal Digital Distribution, a division of NBC Universal, drives the
company's development of digital content and distribution in the areas
of digital sales, digital platforms and wireless products. NBC Universal
Digital Distribution manages product strategy and development for NBCU's
content efforts by deploying it across multiple digital platforms including
mobile, Internet portals, wireless carriers, emerging digital companies
and nontraditional customers. In addition, NBCU Digital Distribution spearheads
the company's development of industry leading technologies such as interactive
television, on demand, electronic sell-through and IPTV. NBCU Digital
Distribution also directs and manages the company’s cable investments
including A&E, The History Channel, History Channel International,
The Biography Channel and the Sundance Channel.
About MobiTV
MobiTV, Inc. (www.mobitv.com) is leading the convergence of television, film
and music across the mobile and broadband markets. The Emmy® Award
winning mobile television service offers popular TV and digital music content
from top networks, labels and cable providers. The MobiTV® service
has more than two million subscribers worldwide and is available throughout
the US, UK, Latin America, and Canada. Founded in 1999, MobiTV is a privately
held company headquartered in Emeryville, CA.
MobiTV and the MobiTV logos are trademarks, service marks, and/or registered
trademarks of MobiTV, Inc. in the United States and in other countries. All
other trademarks, service marks, and product names used herein are the property
of their respective owners.
Contacts:
Alyssa Donelan, VP Media Relations
NBC Universal TV Networks Distribution alyssa.donelan@nbcuni.com
(201) 735-3568
Jason Taylor, Director of Corporate Communications
MobiTV, Inc. jason@mobitv.com
(925) 895-0090
