NBC Universal related Press Releases

FLO TV and NBC2GO Air the NBC Sports Championship Season Live to Mobile Phones

Jason Ankeny — Thu, 14 May 2009 08:56:51 -0400

FLO TV Incorporated, provider of the award-winning FLO TV(TM) live mobile TV service and a wholly owned subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated (Nasdaq: QCOM), and NBC Universal today announced the live mobile TV broadcasts of NBC Sports' coverage of the Preakness Stakes, the French Open, the Stanley Cup Final, the U.S. Open and Wimbledon -- all part of NBC Sports Championship Season on NBC2GO. The event coverage reinforces FLO TV's leadership position as provider of the most comprehensive live sports programming available on mobile TV.

NBC Sports Championship Season ties together seven championships broadcast by NBC Sports over a 65-day period between May 2 and July 5. Beginning with the historic upset at the Kentucky Derby, FLO TV's coverage of the NBC Sports Championship Season features these events:

* The Kentucky Derby - May 2
* The Preakness - May 16
* The French Open - May 30-31 & June 6-7
* The Stanley Cup Playoffs - Starting June 6
* The U.S. Open - June 18-21
* Wimbledon - June 27-July 5

"FLO TV offers its subscribers access to live sports with unparalleled immediacy and crystal-clear reception," said Jonathan Barzilay, senior vice president of programming and advertising, FLO TV. "Live sports continue to be a key driver of FLO TV's momentum and we are thrilled to feature the world-class events of the NBC Sports Championship Season."

"As a leader in live sports broadcasting, NBC Sports is always looking for innovative ways to provide our award-winning programming to fans wherever they are," added Perkins Miller, senior vice president, digital media, NBC Sports & Olympics. "From the start of the Kentucky Derby to the finals at Wimbledon, we are excited to deliver the action of NBC Sports Championship Season to consumers live on their mobile phone."

FLO TV's mobile broadcast of NBC Sports' coverage of the events of the NBC Sports Championship Season underscores FLO TV's already best-in-class live sports programming. Thousands of hours of college basketball and football, professional basketball and baseball, golf, soccer, boxing, auto racing, hockey and much more have established FLO TV as the leading provider of live sports programming on mobile TV. The appeal of FLO TV's live programming is illustrated by a consistent pattern of increased viewership and consumer demand for major sporting events. On the first day of the 2009 men's college basketball programming, the FLO TV service experienced a 48 percent increase in the average minutes per user from the month before. The FLO TV service also experienced viewership increases of 80 percent or more during the 2008 U.S. Open golf championship.

FLO TV is available to AT&T subscribers as AT&T Mobile TV and to Verizon Wireless customers as V CAST Mobile TV in 68 markets nationwide. To learn more about the FLO TV service, please visit www.flotv.com.

All programming on the FLO TV service is subject to change.

About FLO TV Incorporated

The FLO TV service combines the best content, an intuitive user interface and a superior multicast network to deliver a true quality TV viewing experience for consumers. FLO TV offers full-length simulcast and time-shifted programming from the world's best entertainment brands, including CBS, CBS College Sports, CBS News, CNBC, Comedy Central, ESPN, FOX, FOX News, FOX Sports, MSNBC, MTV, NBC, NBC2Go, NBC News, NBC Sports, Nickelodeon and NickToons. Based in San Diego, Calif., FLO TV Incorporated is a wholly owned subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated. Further information is available at www.flotv.com.

Qualcomm is a registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated. FLO and FLO TV are trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Rentrak Inks Audience Measurement Deal With NBC Universal

Jason Ankeny — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:41:48 -0500

Rentrak Corporation (Nasdaq: RENT) today announced a multi-year agreement with NBC Universal (NBCU) to use Rentrak's Mobile Essentials(TM) service which has been in trial with NBCU Mobile since early 2008. The Mobile Essentials tool will allow NBCU Mobile access to timely data to continue to enhance NBCU's market leading performance.

Rentrak's Mobile Essentials system is a first of its kind comprehensive suite of tools that analyzes trends and quickly tracks massive amounts of data in hard-to-aggregate formats such as video clips, SMS messaging, ring tones, video games, wall paper, and other mobile content in order to provide programmers, advertisers, operators and carriers immediate answers to questions that have traditionally required fielding extensive market research and consumer panel studies.

"Rentrak's Mobile Essentials service provides NBCU Mobile the unique opportunity to be the first in the industry with the ability to view and analyze their anonymous mobile data for the consumption of video and other downloads, text messaging, games, and more, all in one comprehensive application," said Ken Papagan, president and chief strategy officer at Rentrak Corporation. "Mobile handsets are the only video devices that are completely unique to each user and Mobile Essentials provides a major industry breakthrough by enabling longitudinal analytics of individual mobile viewing patterns that can also be used to drive viewers back to the TV screen as well."

"The Mobile Essentials tool gives NBC Universal access to timely usage data across video, mobile web, messaging, and downloads," said Salil Dalvi, Senior Vice President, Mobile Platform Development, NBC Universal. "The service makes it simple and practical for us to make data-driven decisions."

As the demand increases for more granular data to improve the effectiveness of advertising, Rentrak's Mobile Essentials system is taking the industry one step closer to providing accurate and timely multi-screen measurement. In addition to the Mobile Essentials system, Rentrak processes on demand television data representing more than 54 million set top boxes and processes detailed linear television data through its TV Essentials(TM) service from several million set top boxes.

Glen Friedman, President and Founder Ideas & Solutions, a media and technology consulting firm, represented Rentrak in securing the agreement.

About Mobile Essentials(TM)

Mobile Essentials leverages Rentrak's software and transaction processing power for use with an array of mobile devices and carrier services. Mobile Essentials has the power to track tens of millions of transaction records from data carriers and any consumer mobile device in order to provide measurement services for ring tones, video clips, video games, wall paper, music videos and music downloads.

About Rentrak Corporation

Rentrak Corporation, based in Portland, Oregon, is an information management company serving clients in the media, entertainment, retail, and advertising industries. The company's Entertainment Essentials(TM) suite of services is redefining media measurement in the digital broadband era. Entertainment Essentials provides customers with near-real-time, actionable insight into performance of content distributed over a wide variety of modern media technologies. Available by license or subscription, each Entertainment Essentials application allows executives to analyze detailed industry-wide and title-specific data to make decisions that enhance the bottom line and provide competitive advantage. For further information, please visit Rentrak's corporate Web site at http://www.rentrak.com.

NBC Universal set to launch 'Universal' branded mobile portal in Japan

Jason Ankeny — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 08:44:27 -0500

NBC Universal has announced the launch of its new mobile portal in Japan. The portal will go live in October 2008 to coincide with the theatrical run, in Japan, of the major blockbuster movie ‘Wanted' starring Angelina Jolie, James McAvoy and Morgan Freeman. It is set to offer downloadable content and services to mobile customers via a number of operators, including NTT Docomo, KDDI-au and SoftBank Mobile.

NBC Universal will distribute and market its content and services under the ‘Universal Mobile' brand. The service will allow access to content from a number of NBC Universal film and TV properties.
Screen shot from the new NBC Universal Japan Mobile portal
Screen shot from the new NBC Universal Japan Mobile portal

"We are tremendously excited to be launching our ‘Universal Mobile' business here and will strive to create new and edgy content that expands the digital experience of our fans." says Taichi Fukuda, Managing Director, NBC Universal, Japan

Customers of the three operators will be able to download a variety of mobile content, including themes, tones, decoration emails, made-for mobile comics, flash and casual games. The mobile portal will also hold fan forums and communities for NBC Universal branded content. Services will be made available on a pay-per-download and subscription basis, with some services also available on an initial free promotional basis.

Japan is an advanced mobile market and a strategic priority for NBC Universal. This new mobile portal is the first of many digital ventures that NBC Universal expects to launch in Japan and across Asia

"This is the first time that a content portal will be programmed, hosted and managed entirely within the company - it's a fresh start. The Universal Mobile portal will give Japanese consumers a compelling, medium appropriate and fun way to interact with our brands on their mobile phones." Says Jeremy Laws, senior vice president, mobile & broadband, Universal Pictures Digital Platforms.

NBC Universal will be promoting the mobile service to customers with partners via its own branded Universal Mobile website: http//universal-pic.jp/. The website can be accessed only in Japan.

About NBC Universal:
NBC Universal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric and 20% owned by Vivendi.

NBC Universal Launches Women@NBCU

Jason Ankeny — Thu, 08 May 2008 10:39:42 -0400

Lauren Zalaznick, named today President, Women
and Lifestyle Entertainment Networks, announced the launch of
"Women@NBCU," a powerful combination of media assets reaching women
across multiple platforms.

This content and marketing initiative will create a unique approach
for advertisers to connect with this desirable demographic through NBC
Universal brands, including Bravo, Oxygen, iVillage, and Green is
Universal as well as other female-skewing properties such as the
"Today" show and certain NBC primetime programs such as "The Biggest
Loser" and "Lipstick Jungle."

"We have the unparalleled ability to reach the customized
psychographic female target everywhere they are, at every hour of the
day, every day," said Zalaznick. "Anchored by four powerful brands --
Bravo, Oxygen, Green, and iVillage, supplemented by the select
"boutique" properties across the NBC Universal landscape -- we've
created a one-stop shop to deliver custom female 18-54 audiences with
scale. "

With dedicated resources in the areas of content, research, sales
and marketing, Women@NBCU is a solutions-driven unit that will assist
clients in developing integrated, targeted marketing campaigns. In
addition to the network offerings across cable and on-line at iVillage,
Women@NBCU will offer additional female-focused marketing opportunities
including the "Today" show, NBC prime-time programming, select content
on cable properties such as CNBC, as well as utilize NBC Universal's
most powerful web and mobile properties.

"This strategy is right in line with our entire enterprise sales
approach which focuses on creating customized marketing solutions
targeted to a very specific demographic. When you are talking about
women in particular, NBCU has a particularly desirable group of assets
that can provide clients with a number of innovative opportunities,"
said Mike Pilot, President, NBC Universal Ad Sales and Marketing.

Women@NBCU reaches all women across all demographics, including the
most affluent and desirable on television. A demographic category much
sought-after by advertisers, women control 80% of all consumer
purchasing across every brand category. In addition, studies indicate
that the majority of women (75%) influence the purchasing decisions of
others by recommending products to their friends and family.

Day-to-day sales efforts for Women@NBCU will be handled by Senior
Vice President Susan Malfa, who will add this to her current
responsibilities overseeing Bravo and Oxygen Ad Sales.

NBC UNIVERSAL CREATES LEADING DISTRIBUTION NETWORK FOR ITS MOBILE WEB SITES

Jason Ankeny — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 09:50:18 -0400

NBC Universal (NBCU) announced partnerships with Verizon Wireless, AT&T and Research In Motion (RIM) to carry NBCU's rich ad-supported mobile web sites (WAP), significantly expanding the preeminent media company's web presence to mobile. A similar mobile web partnership with Alltel Wireless was announced in July 2007. Mobile phone users will experience direct access to NBCU content with the more than 60 WAP sites for brands that include NBC, NBC Sports, USA Network, SCI FI Channel, Bravo, CNBC, MSNBC, Universal Pictures, and Astrology.com. The announcement was made today by Jean-Briac (JB) Perrette, President, NBC Universal Digital Distribution.

"The combination of these partnerships with the leaders in the mobile industry and the promotion through NBCU's own TV and web platforms will raise the awareness and usage of NBCU's mobile offering,Ã¢â‚¬Â said Perrette. "NBCU's efforts are in full force in the emerging mobile advertising market, and these timely deals will create valuable inventory for our advertising partners.Ã¢â‚¬Â

NBCU's mobile web sites will be prominently placed on Verizon Wireless, AT&T, Alltel Wireless and the BlackBerryÃ‚Â® application websites, and distributed directly onto the carriers' respective menus, and accessed via the relevant genre-specific folders. NBCU's partnership with the top wireless service providers in the country, as well as the leading smartphone manufacturers, will drive traffic to its ad-supported mobile web sites. JumpTap, a leading mobile search and advertising provider, will be NBCU's ad network for delivering and representing advertising inventory for a number of NBCU sites, which will be highlighted and promoted each week based on timely events, programs and news coverage.

In addition, TV and web platforms will market and promote additional ad-supported mobile opportunities related to NBCU properties, including a growing offering of interactive SMS voting, fan clubs and alerts from key areas such as entertainment, news, local media, and sports. And, NBCU will offer "Send to Mobile,Ã¢â‚¬Â the direct integration of its mobile web sites and interactive SMS campaigns with NBCU's web sites, web widgets, and on-air promotions to help support and grow traffic. Mobile web sites include cast blogs, photos, episode guides, downloadable ringtones and wallpapers, as well as video.

For more on NBC Mobile, visit http://nbcmobile.com/. Art for NBCU programs and WAP sites can be found at NBCU Media Village, www.nbcumv.com.

About NBC Universal Digital Distribution:
NBC Universal Digital Distribution is a division of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. NBC Universal Digital Distribution drives the company's North American distribution of content across the Internet, wireless, set-top devices and other emerging platforms, and leads content strategy for offerings that include video on demand (VOD), electronic-sell-through (EST), interactive television, and wireless products and services (WAP, SMS, etc.).

SinglePoint is Selected by NBC Universal to Roll Out Interactive Mobile Media Campaigns for TV and Film Properties

Jason Ankeny — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 10:08:13 -0400

BELLEVUE, Wash. & LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SinglePoint announced today that NBC Universal has selected the company to launch one of the biggest company-wide mobile marketing initiatives ever conducted by a media company. Under the terms of this strategic deal, SinglePoint will manage and execute multiple participation media campaigns such as mobile voting, sweepstakes, contests, Ã¢â‚¬Å“breaking newsÃ¢â‚¬Â text alerts, and the delivery of personalization content across the myriad of NBC Universal properties, making this the single largest Interactive Television (iTV) deal of its kind in the mobile marketing space.

SinglePoint, which has a decade-long, proven track record supplying reliable, scalable connectivity for mobile messaging applications, was selected by NBC Universal as their premier participation media partner after a competitive bidding process. As iTV continues to gain momentum in the U.S., SinglePoint will be developing and managing large-scale, cross carrier iTV messaging events for multiple properties across NBC Universal including NBC, CNBC, MSNBC, Bravo, Telemundo, USA, NBC Sports, NBC News, iVillage and venue-related activities for Universal theme parks.

Ã¢â‚¬Å“In todayÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s competitive TV environment, we constantly evaluate how new technologies can better engage viewers and, ultimately, build stronger relationships with them,Ã¢â‚¬Â said Jon Dakss, Vice President of Technology Product Development for NBC Universal. Ã¢â‚¬Å“SinglePoint stands apart in the increasingly critical mobile segment thanks to their ability to manage the entire participation media process Ã¢â‚¬â€œ from connectivity to carrier relations to client services. Working with SinglePoint will allow us to strengthen our market leadership, as well as win and maintain the loyalty of our viewers.Ã¢â‚¬Â

SinglePoint previously powered a series of successful campaigns with NBC Universal, including mobile contests for the Kentucky Derby, the multifaceted mobile sweepstakes for SciFiÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s Ã¢â‚¬Å“The Lost RoomÃ¢â‚¬Â for a $5 million grand prize, live voting on BravoÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s reality hit Ã¢â‚¬Å“Shear Genius,Ã¢â‚¬Â and a variety of Ã¢â‚¬Å“TodayÃ¢â‚¬Â show events.

Ã¢â‚¬Å“There is no question that the wireless industry has given new meaning to participation media by adding entertainment, social and economic value to some of todayÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s most popular TV programs,Ã¢â‚¬Â said Rich Begert, President and CEO of SinglePoint. Ã¢â‚¬Å“We cannot express enough how extremely pleased we are to work with NBC Universal and drive the mobile component of their leading franchises. Our tools empower customers to drive growth, connect to end-users and enhance viewing experiences. We expect this strategic partnership will set a new bar for participation media in the U.S.Ã¢â‚¬Â

NBC Universal will benefit from SinglePointÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s tested scalable infrastructure, which has received high-capacity certification from tier-one wireless carriers. In addition, SinglePoint will provide NBC Universal with complete end-to-end management of an array of mobile campaigns, including application development and implementation, hosting services, new product development and real-time reporting.

About SinglePointÃ¢â€žÂ¢

SinglePoint is a simple, powerful way for content owners to create, connect and confirm the delivery of wireless messages to mobile consumers. It combines a proven reliable message delivery service with the leading producer and distributor of branded, made-for-mobile entertainment, interactive TV formats and mobile marketing concepts. Today, SinglePoint is engaged with an audience of more than 220 million mobile users throughout North America working in partnership with mobile network and portal operations, media companies, brand managers and agencies. For more information, please visit www.singlepoint.com.

INTERNET AND MEDIA INDUSTRY LEADERS UNVEIL PRINCIPLES TO FOSTER ONLINE INNOVATION WHILE PROTECTING COPYRIGHTS

Jim O'Neill — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 08:34:41 -0400

October 18, 2007Ã¢â‚¬â€ Several of the worldÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s leading Internet and media companies today announced their joint support for a set of collaborative principles that enable the continued growth and development of user-generated content online and respect the intellectual property of content owners.

The principles serve as a comprehensive set of guidelines to help user-generated content (UGC) services and content creators work together towards their collective goal of bringing more content to more consumers through legitimate channels. The principles acknowledge a collective respect for protecting copyrights and recognize that filtering technologies must be effective and are only a part of what is necessary to achieve this goal.

The companies supporting these principles include CBS Corp., Dailymotion, Fox Entertainment Group, Microsoft Corp., MySpace, NBC Universal, Veoh Networks Inc., Viacom Inc. and The Walt Disney Company.

The principles, which are attached and available in full at www.ugcprinciples.com, call for a broad range of constructive and cooperative efforts by copyright owners and UGC services. They include:

Implementation of state of the art filtering technolog y with the goal to eliminate infringing content on UGC services, including blocking infringing uploads before they are made available to the public;
Upgrading technology when commercially reasonable;
Cooperating to ensure that the technology is implemented in a manner that effectively balances legitimate interests, including fair use;
Cooperation in developing procedures for promptly addressing claims that content was blocked in error;
Regularly using the technology to remove infringing content that was uploaded before the technology could block it;
Identification and removal of links to sites that are clearly dedicated to, and predominantly used for, the dissemination of infringing content; and,
Promotion of content-rich, infringement-free services by continuing to cooperatively test new technologies and by collaboratively updating these principles as appropriate to keep current with evolving developments.

The ease of uploading video content on the Internet has led to the creation of millions of original works by new creators Ã¢â‚¬â€œ works that range from scripted programs, to virtuoso musical performances and to humorous skits and social parody. It also has resulted in the proliferation of uploaded content that infringes copyrighted works.

The companies backing these principles believe that they can collectively find a path that fosters creativity while respecting the rights of copyright owners. Distributors of copyright-infringing content stifle both technological innovation and artistic creation in ways that ultimately will hurt the consumer and hinder the digital economy.

These principles also reflect a strongly-held commitment to work cooperatively and constructively across industries to address the challenge of developing new modes of distribution while protecting intellectual property and, with a shared goal of promoting a rich, legitimate, and compelling environment for consumers of online content. While the supportersÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ current practices may not strictly adhere to each and every principle, they are all committed to fully implementing these principles by yearÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s end.

The companies believe that adopting such principles is essential to achieving the enormous potential opened up by the Internet through UGC services. Widespread adoption of these principles will encourage innovation, enable new creative expression and further the goal of eliminating infringing content from UGC services. It will allow innovative business models to develop. Most importantly, it will benefit consumers by encouraging further cooperation between the creators of content -- from the largest entertainment company to the individual artist -- and the companies that distribute their works.

The supporters urge others to embrace these principles. While recognizing that adhering to these principles may require each company to yield some from positions it has held, at the end of the day the supporters believe all will benefit from such compromise. The supporters look forward to further discussions with other parties to attain their support.

Statements from the Participating Companies:

Bob Iger, President and CEO, The Walt Disney Company

Ã¢â‚¬Å“These principles offer a road map for unlocking the enormous potential of online video and user-generated content. Cooperation among us, aided by emerging technologies, can clear the way for further growth in the availability of online video in ways that will be good for consumers, good for copyright owners and good for uploading services.Ã¢â‚¬Â

Steve Ballmer, Chief Executive Officer, Microsoft Corporation

"The cross-industry dialogue that resulted in these principles is an important step forward in establishing the Internet as a great platform for video content Ã¢â‚¬â€œÃ‚Â a platform that allows services to innovate and preserves incentives for all creators, big and small, by respecting copyright.Ã‚Â With this new, consensus-based foundation, the technology and entertainment industries are demonstrating how we can work collaboratively to build great new video experiences for our mutual customers."

Peter Chernin, President and COO, Fox Entertainment Group

Ã¢â‚¬Å“In the end, technical innovation has always proved to be a positive driver in shaping our businesses and spurring greater and more robust distribution models. The principles unveiled today underscore that conviction by enabling a path that will reward content owners, distributors, and most importantly, consumers.Ã¢â‚¬Â

Philippe Dauman, President and CEO, Viacom Inc.

Ã¢â‚¬Å“We are delighted that so many leading companies have come together behind a set of principles that provide a framework for intellectual property to live in harmony with technical advances. These principles will enable innovative technology and great content to come together to spur greater innovation and, most importantly, much richer entertainment experiences for consumers.Ã¢â‚¬Â

Chris DeWolfe, CEO and co-founder, MySpace

Ã¢â‚¬Å“As part of one of the worldÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s largest media companies and with original content of our own, weÃ¢â‚¬â„¢re vigilant about respecting and protecting copyrights.Ã‚Â Internally, weÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ve developed an industry-leading suite of copyright protections for content owners and weÃ¢â‚¬â„¢re thrilled to align forces with the worldÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s top media and Internet companies to develop best practices.Ã¢â‚¬Â

Steve Mitgang, CEO of Veoh Networks Ã‚Â

Ã¢â‚¬Å“Veoh firmly believes that industry cooperation like this is the key to encouraging innovation that benefits viewers, copyright holders and service providers alike. We wholeheartedly support these principles, and hope that other major media and technology companies will join in our effort to grow this emerging market and give viewers even more access to the high-quality video content they want.Ã¢â‚¬Â

Leslie Moonves, President and CEO, CBS Corporation

Ã¢â‚¬Å“The cornerstone of the CBS business is its audience. CBS believes that these principles will assist us in our on-going online delivery to our audience of all the great CBS content, and will help balance the rights and responsibilities of both content owners and sites accepting user generated content. I applaud the cooperation among the participating online operators and the networks.Ã¢â‚¬Â

Mark Zaleski, Executive Chairman, DailyMotion

Ã¢â‚¬Å“Dailymotion strongly believes in the respecting the rights of all copyright owners. As such, our company has been involved in the drafting of these Principles since it began. We are confident that this cooperation with content owners, further aided by audio and video filtering technology that we are currently implementing, is a win-win for all involved. We are proud to continue to be at the edge of innovation in both our product and in copyright protection.Ã¢â‚¬Â

Jeff Zucker, President and CEO, NBC Universal

Ã¢â‚¬Å“TodayÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s announcement marks a significant step in transforming the Internet to a popular medium that respects the rule of law. By recognizing the mutual benefits of a technology-based framework to control piracy, technology and content companies have laid the foundation for the lawful growth of video on the Internet.Ã¢â‚¬Â