Rovi to support Eutelsat KabelKiosk cable Video on Demand Services

Eutelsat KabelKiosk’s Cable Platform Gears up for Hybrid TV – New Collaboration With Rovi Signed to Support Video on Demand Services

COLOGNE, Germany — Eutelsat visAvision, the German affiliate of Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL), and Rovi Corporation (NASDAQ: ROVI) are combining their skills for the launch in third quarter 2011 of a Video On Demand service on KabelKiosk, the leading platform of TV channels and value added services provided by Eutelsat Germany for digital cable operators in continental Europe. An agreement between Rovi and Eutelsat Germany to integrate Rovi’s Nowtilus entertainment delivery platform into KabelKiosk was announced during the ANGA Cable fair in Cologne.

The collaboration covers the deployment of Rovi’s Nowtilus entertainment delivery platform to power a comprehensive Video on Demand offer via KabelKiosk interaktiv, the interactive option to be available in the KabelKiosk service. In addition, Rovi will supply technical and editorial services, digitisation of content and comprehensive support to operate the hybrid application. KabelKiosk interaktiv will be available on HbbTV receivers and TV screens. The commercial launch of the service is planned for third quarter 2011 for the networks of KabelKiosk partners.

KabelKiosk interaktiv has been developed by Eutelsat Germany to allow a smart connection of TV and Internet for a smooth transition from the linear KabelKiosk TV-offering to non-linear content. Red button applications support on-demand information and video clips to complement the linear TV channels. The distribution of individual content by network operators is an additional feature for recent news and network-specific offerings. Network operators will be able to deploy their own design and marketing to brand the hybrid service. The completely revised layout of KabelKiosk interaktiv offers a range of new features and optimised navigation. An intuitive user navigation facilitates quick selection of content with only a few keys of the remote control.

“Based on our comprehensive digital entertainment experience in retail, telco and publishing, we are working with Eutelsat to provide instant access to premium content to as many end users as possible”, commented Leander Carell, Managing Director of Sales & Marketing Nowtilus at Rovi. “This will open up new and tangible business opportunities for all KabelKiosk clients,” added Patrick Knippel, Managing Director of Business Development for Nowtilus at Rovi.

“As a first, KabelKiosk interaktiv will offer innovative hybrid TV services to digital cable networks in Europe. Working with Rovi and using their Nowtilus platform is a very important step to powering the Video on Demand component of KabelKiosk”, Martina Rutenbeck, Managing Director of Eutelsat Germany, said in Cologne. “It strengthens our objective to build a hybrid portfolio, especially in terms of VoD, and to offer network operators a competitive portal that underscores the advantages of digital cable networks.”

Nowtilus is a turnkey entertainment platform that offers content rights and licensing, as well as the technologies and infrastructure needed to launch user-friendly digital entertainment services. Nowtilus offers a full range of capabilities including platform development, administration and support, as well as billing and reporting. Nowtilus-powered services enable consumers to securely access premium entertainment on Windows and Mac systems and consumer electronics devices including connected TVs, set-top boxes, game consoles, and mobile devices. Nowtilus GmbH was acquired by Rovi Corporation earlier this year.