La piattaforma MediaSphere di Softel

Launch of Showtime National ETV Services

NORWALK, Conn. — March 23, 2010 — Softel today announced that Showtime Networks Inc. is using the industry-leading Softel MediaSphere interactive television (iTV) playout platform to become the first television network in the United States to distribute ETV Enhanced TV Binary Interchange Format (EBIF) applications nationwide with the integration and commissioning of MediaSphere TX at its network operation center in Hauppauge, N.Y.

On February 26, Showtime first delivered an interactive EBIF application to all of its Verizon FiOS subscribers on its flagship Showtime HD™ channel. The application enhanced its live coverage of the Strikeforce Challengers Mixed Martial Arts fight card with rich, engaging content.

"We're always willing to break new ground to continue delivering top quality, cutting-edge entertainment and services to our viewers," says David Preisman, Vice President, Interactive Television, Showtime Networks Inc. "We chose Softel and its MediaSphere iTV platform to roll these services out nationally because of the firm's extensive experience and expertise in interactive television both in the US and Europe. Softel worked closely with us and our other technology partners, Ensequence, VDS and Verizon, to provide a seamlessly integrated solution. MediaSphere is ideal for delivering interactivity to our broad viewer base."

"Showtime has yet again demonstrated the creative and technical leadership that has won it such wide acclaim. Showtime has used EBIF to make interactive television a reality on a national scale," says Ed Humphrey, President, Softel-USA. "This deployment serves as a starting point from which Showtime will easily be able to expand to deliver interactive content — EBIF, tru2way® or OpenTV — 24/7/365 across all of its networks and to all of its viewers, whether on cable or satellite, from its single system."

Encompassing the complete interactive application lifecycle, Softel's MediaSphere iTV platform is an integrated suite of complementary solutions that enable the delivery of rich viewer experiences. The system enables parallel playout of multiple middleware applications from a single unit, providing compatibility with all major US and international interactive standards.

Showtime is using MediaSphere TX, complete with a redundant failover solution, on its satellite uplink to deliver EBIF interactive applications nationally for Showtime subscribers on Verizon FiOS. Via its comprehensive SDK, MediaSphere is fully integrated with Showtime's scheduling system as well as with Ensequence's iTV Manager.

More information on Softel products is available at MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "www.wallstcom.com" claiming to be www.softelgroup.com or MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "www.wallstcom.com" claiming to be www.softel-usa.com, via e-mail at MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "www.wallstcom.com" claiming to be Questo indirizzo email è protetto dagli spambots. È necessario abilitare JavaScript per vederlo. or by telephone at +1 203 354 4602 (for the Americas) and +44 118 984 2151 (for APAC and EMEA).

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About Showtime Networks Inc.
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks Showtime®, The Movie Channel™ and Flix®, as well as the multiplex channels Showtime 2™, Showtime® Showcase, Showtime Extreme®, Showtime Beyond ®, Showtime Next®, Showtime Women®, Showtime Family Zone® and The Movie Channel™ XTRA. SNI also offers Showtime HD™, Showtime 2 HD™, The Movie Channel HD™, Showtime on Demand®, The Movie Channel on Demand™ and Flix on Demand®. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks™, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution which recently launched Smithsonian Channel™. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through Showtime PPV®.

About Softel
Softel is a global leader in key TV and video technologies including subtitling and captioning, interactive TV, MPEG stream processing and multiplexing, opt and ad insertion cuing, and Teletext, delivered through a full range of products, professional services and bespoke development. Based in Pangbourne, near Reading in Berkshire, England, Softel also owns Softel-USA LLC located in metro New York, which focuses entirely on the Americas. The company also has an impressive network of partners worldwide. With almost three decades of broadcast experience, the Softel customer list encompasses prestigious ‘blue chip' broadcasters, major post production facilities as well as freelancers and smaller facilities.

ENDS