thePlatform Enables Content Companies to Create Custom Broadband Video Channels

SEATTLE, April 4 /PRNewswire/ -- With so many web sites delivering online video today, content companies are seeking new ways to create differentiated viewing experiences for consumers and to strengthen their brands across the web. thePlatform, the leading broadband video application service provider, today introduced a new software suite that enables content companies to quickly create custom video players for delivering broadband and mobile video to consumers. In addition, thePlatform is now offering companies the ability to create their own branded desktop software that enables consumers to download and manage music, videos and other digital media files.

thePlatform currently manages and publishes online video on behalf of some of the most well known consumer brands, including ABC News, A&E, Amp'd Mobile, CNBC, College Sports TV, Court TV, Comcast, E!, Hearst, Microsoft, the Oxygen Network, PRIMEDIA, Scripps, Sony/BMG Music, Ruckus, Vongo, Telstra, Verizon Wireless and dozens of other companies

"Movie studios, music labels, television programmers, digital aggregators and content companies of all types are constantly looking for better ways to connect audiences to their online video offerings," said Ian Blaine, Founder and CEO of thePlatform. "Historically, we've been focused on helping these companies manage their 'back-end' online video needs, but now they're asking for more. They want our help with creating unique consumer experiences without the high costs and long development times. Our newest product, mpsPresent, gives companies an easy way to create more immersive brand extensions and deliver custom experiences for online viewers."

"At this early stage in the online video market, companies should be looking at creating custom user experiences, and it makes sense to start by looking at the players and media management software itself," said Michael Wolf, Director of digital home research for ABI Research. "Very quickly, however, this customization will shift from one about simple aesthetics to creating unique functionality and capabilities. thePlatform is very well positioned to help content companies make this critical pivot."

Compared to conventional approaches, mpsPresent is an easy and cost efficient means for companies to create branded experiences for their audiences. With mpsPresent, broadband video channels can be designed and deployed for playback on PCs, mobile phones and set-top devices. mpsPresent consists of four elements:

  * Player Designer -- Video producers and editors can add branding, pick
    the layout and color scheme and integrate their own media content
    catalog into their video players. thePlatform hosts these players, so
    incorporation into the customer's web site or affiliate partner sites is
    easy.
  * Player Development Kit -- Flash developers can quickly customize
    everything about the player, including building their own player
    controls.
  * Media Manager -- Companies can create a branded, local video player for
    scheduling, purchasing, downloading and offline playback of music and
    premium content.
  * Feeds Service -- Content companies can quickly fulfill requests for
    dynamic media catalogs and play requests within their broadband video
    channels. The Feeds Service also allows thePlatform's technology
    partners to serve other segments of the market.

G4 was one of the fastest growing networks on television last year and is a leader in reaching the 18-34 year old male audience through a wide range of topics including video games, the Internet, broadband, technology, comics, animation and more. Tools such as thePlatform serve an important function within the G4 Multiplex, a non-linear distribution strategy that effectively delivers content via podcasts, the web, video on demand, mobile devices and more.

"Not only does our audience want cutting-edge content, but they want it presented to them in dynamic and compelling ways," said Joshua Krane, VP of Interactive & New Media at G4. "thePlatform's new mpsPresent services gives us the potential to create and update our branded broadband video channels, quickly and easily."

Partners are already enhancing and extending mpsPresent. For example: * UIEvolution (http://www.uievolution.com/) is providing mobile video clients for wireless carriers and MVNOs based on mpsPresent. * Cypress Consulting (http://www.cypressconsulting.net/) is using the Player Development Kit to create compelling and unique broadband video players. For more detailed information on mpsPresent, visit http://www.theplatform.com/. About thePlatform:

thePlatform(TM), a subsidiary of Comcast, is the leading broadband video ASP for content providers, broadband media sites, and mobile businesses. thePlatform currently manages and publishes online video on behalf of some of the most well known consumer brands, including: ABC News, A&E, Hearst, Amp'd Mobile, CNBC, College Sports TV, Court TV, Comcast, E!, Microsoft, the Oxygen Network, PRIMEDIA, Qualcomm, Scripps, Sony/BMG Music, Ruckus, Telstra, Verizon Wireless, Vongo, and dozens of other companies. For more information visit http://www.theplatform.com/