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Global Digital Broadcast: IPTV Finds Its Place With Philips Electronics and GDBTV
Brighton, UK, Sep 23, 2009 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) --
Philips Electronics joins forces with IP software specialist, Global Digital Broadcast (GDBTV), to launch the first television set with a fully-integrated IPTV service, creating a platform which is seven times the size of Sky.
In the converging media landscape, with numerous service and software providers competing for pieces of the broadcasting pie, many were so busy extolling the virtues of their all-singing, all-dancing "solutions", they forgot to listen to thevoice of the consumer. Now, with the partnership between 'the people's' electronics company and GDBTV, that voice has been heard and the demand for a simplified, unified internet protocol television service has been met.
With mission and vision statements to "improve the quality of people's lives" and "lead in bringing sense and simplicity to people", it is Philips' dedication to consumer-and-user requirements which has given the electronics company its extremely loyal customer following. As the first television set manufacturer in Europe, two out of three sets used to be Philips brand and, with expected sales of approximately 50 million television sets in Europe alone, this latest acquisition puts Philips ahead of the game and spearheading the future of TV.
Philips says: "In consumers' minds, the TV is an effortless relaxation. They would very much like to also enjoy online services from the comfort of their sofa. TV is not a high-interaction device, like a PC with a keyboard and mouse, where you have to sit up to use them, but more of a low-interaction device, with a simple remote control. The online services concept is a great way to blend these two experiences in an open and standardised environment and create an enriched consumer experience."
GDBTV has been at the forefront of IP software and services for the past three years, hosting and managing networks in America, Canada, Europe and the UK; as well as providing the software and platform for independent broadcasters to launch their own channels, but it is the partnership with Philips which will make GDBTV and its independent channels household names.
Carrying the free-to-view channels as standard, the GDBTV EPG also has an extensive bouquet of popular, niche and foreign language package programming. In addition to the standard free-to-view selection, independents and international channels include: Al Jazeera; Cartoon Network; Disney; Eurosport; the world's first guitarist channel, GTV; Sixty Six Films' Love Comedy channel; UK Entertainment, UK Arts, eco dedicated Passion For The Planet; UK tourism channel, Places of Interest TV; dedicated gay lifestyle channel, TV Polari; niche sports with TV Scuba, TV Yachts and extreme sports channel TV Freestyle; and the new Very Tangy TV network, which offers drama, health, motoring, sitcom and film sub-channels broadcasting some of the USA's most popular shows before they are broadcast in the UK or Europe.
GDBTV co-founder and managing director, Jim Deans, comments: "While set-top box services remain popular, we have always known it would be an integrated TV service which would really launch IPTV into consumers' homes and Philips is the best possible partner for this. Philips has always been known as a safe, secure company, but it has never been known for its 'gadgets'; and it is this steady reputation which will give consumers the security in knowing their Philips IPTV sets will be high-quality and user-friendly." He continues: "More so, the partnership with Philips also hugely benefits our Educast education TV service. If a school, college, or university wants a TV channel, all they have to do now is buy a Philips integrated TV set and subscribe to our software service. There is no need for any other subscriptions, no need for satellite dishes on the roof and no hassle. Simply buy the TV set and you are ready to go."
"Our service, in partnership with Philips, provides a massive range of programmes you can't get on cable or satellite, at an affordable cost to the consumer and, with the high quantity of sales Philips is known for, our partnership creates a platform seven times the size of Sky." Europe, in particular, is currently showing a boom in IPTV. According to the latest figures from Point Topic, released during the Broadband Forum in Paris and published by Broadband TV News*, worldwide IPTV growth remains strong at 11% and reaching a total of 26.9 million homes; with Europe continuing to lead the IPTV success story with 13, 631, 074 subscribers (a 51% growth over the 12 months leading up to July 2009). Furthermore, a new report from The Diffusion Group** states the delivery of internet video to the TV will grow nearly six-fold in the next five years, from $1 billion in 2009 to $5.7 billion in 2014. Authored by TDG senior partner and digital video expert, Colin Dixon, TDG's 'Broadband-Enabled TV: Rise of the OTT Provider' analysis claims the dramatic growth in diffusion of broadbandenabled TVs will drive the use of ondemand internet pay-per-view services.
Philips's Net TV feature is viewer-ready in the 8000 and 9000 series television sets, along with the Cinema 21:9 series. It carries around 120 channels from GDBTV's electronic programme guide (EPG). It is due to launch at the end of September 2009.
For further information, photos of GDBTV and Philips at IBC and for the full PDF press release, please visit http://www.globaldigitalbroadcast.com/philips.pdf
*http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2009/09/09/europe-shows-strong-iptv-growth/
**http://asktdg.com/shops/broadband_media_reports/broadband-enabled-tv-rise-of-the-ott-provider.aspx
Notes to editors:
About Royal Philips Electronics:
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a diversified health and wellbeing company, focused on improving people's lives through timely innovations. As a world leader in healthcare, lifestyle and lighting, Philips integrates technology and design into people-centric solutions, based on fundamental consumer insights and the brand promise of "sense and simplicity". Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs approximately 116,000 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of EUR 26 billion in 2008, the company is a market leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as lifestyle products for personal wellbeing and pleasure, with strong leadership positions in flat screen TVs, male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare.
About Global Digital Broadcast:
Established in 2005 and headquartered in Brighton, East Sussex, Global Digital Broadcast (GDBTV) provides technical services in order to enable internet protocol television (IPTV) to be delivered by broadcasters around the world, to viewers around the world. It was the first to develop and implement such a comprehensive, end-to-end IPTV application, including the G-Studio middleware; and IP set-top box (IP-STB); the online virtual set-top box (VSTB); secure age verification processes; and its pioneering MyPVR application, which enables the user/viewer to access all previously screened programmes and save them in full.
GDBTV maintains and operates IPTV networks in America with SuncasTV, delivering Asian content across the US and globally; US based and Canal Sur run Via America, which delivers Latin and Brazilian content across the UK and Europe; and Something TV in the United Kingdom.
CONTACT: Royal Philips Electronics
WWW: http://www.philips.co.uk
Global Digital Broadcast
WWW: http://www.gdbtv.com
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