Servecast Launches Broadband Video Services for Flextech Television

London and Dublin (July 12, 2006) - Servecast has been chosen by Flextech Television to build and manage a broadband video on demand delivery platform for its multiple TV channels. Flextech chose Servecast due to its unrivalled experience as Europe’s premier online media and streaming solutions provider with a very strong pedigree in the sports and media sectors. Flextech is the leading supplier of entertainment, information and interactive content and services to the UK multi-channel television and online markets. It consists of ten wholly owned TV channels including LIVINGtv, Bravo and FTn and is a 50% partner in UKTV which broadcasts all of the UK TV channels including UK Gold, UK Drama and UK Style.

Using Servecast’s Media Studio platform, Flextech will offer downloads of its programmes such as ‘Most Haunted’ over broadband for consumers to purchase on a Pay Per View basis. Servecast will deliver all downloadable content via its Media Delivery Network which is directly connected to all of the largest global telecommunications networks, thereby ensuring that all broadband users will receive a high quality content connection, regardless of their location. The service went live at the end of June.

As part of the deal Servecast hosts and manages the front-end video consoles branded for each programme and provide Flextech with a comprehensive Content Management System that enables full control of the viewing media consoles. Servecast also provides sophisticated Digital Rights Management (DRM) and geo-targeting solutions, customer care and support as well as a billing engine and full reporting of service usage.

With Media Studio, Flextech can produce programme specific branding for different viewing consoles and it has complete control over when and how consumers purchase, download and view media content. Flextech’s editorial staff will not only be able to upload video content but will also be able to make amends to the console in terms of visual and textual updates to ensure the content is constantly updated and promoting the available programming.

Creation of promotional packages for the programmes is also controlled and managed through Media Studio. This enables Flextech to change pricing and programme packages, incentives and special offers in response to market demand and subscriber feedback.

Edward Humphrey, Head of Interactive for Flextech Television said “The Servecast platform enables us to securely offer compelling online programming to our viewers as a valuable extension of our traditional TV channels. The flexibility and great control afforded to us by Media Studio means we can create and adapt promotional packages to meet the growing demand for broadband video. We are committed to delivering the best online media for our viewers and Servecast enables us to meet this objective.”

Also speaking today, Darach Deehan, CEO of Servecast said “We are delighted to power Flextech’s broadband video service. As online continues to rival TV as the most-used medium, it is very important to implement a new media strategy. Delivering their programming over broadband provides Flextech with new opportunities for audience acquisition, retention, sales and advertising revenues.”

To ensure only legitimate consumers can access the online content, Servecast will provide the necessary tools to provide security for all online video content including digital rights management, geographic controls, prevention of password trading and support of multiple business models. Content owners can apply a wide range of business rules to their content, such as limiting the number of times the content can be viewed, restricting the duration for which the content is available and a host of others. It will also prevent purchasers of the content from distributing and burning onto CD or DVD.

Flextech will also have the benefit of in-depth business intelligence on subscribers to its broadband service through Media studio’s advanced reporting capabilities. This information can be used to foster subscriber loyalty through individualised correspondence and tailored benefits and offers.

SERVECASTEditorial Contact:Kathrina Gallogly+353 1 4748002kathrina.gallogly@servecast.com