Axel Springer and Philips establish global alliance for Personal TV

Friday, May 30th, 2008

Intelligent service delivers personalized TV channels based on regular broadcast television programs and internet video offerings; Available for TV devices, digital video recorders, PC’s as well as mobile devices; Service operates globally with all available TV content and enables new forms of targeted advertising

BERLIN/EINDHOVEN — Axel Springer (Frankfurt: SPR) and Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) establish an alliance for the introduction of a global innovation in the sector of Personal TV. The new offering TV DIGITAL PERSONAL is powered by APRICO. TV DIGITAL PERSONAL is based on the program guide technology and editorial program information services of Axel Springer Digital TV Guide. APRICO is a software-based technology solution from Philips. Combined it delivers an intelligent service which enables viewers to create personalized TV channels that reflect their viewing preferences on the basis of both conventional TV programs and available internet video offerings.

TV DIGITAL PERSONAL powered by APRICO can be used globally with all available television offerings and will be sold and distributed internationally to content, internet and network service providers and device makers. Furthermore, the new service offers tremendous marketing opportunities: the personalized TV experience enables new forms of targeted advertising. TV DIGITAL PERSONAL powered by APRICO is available for TV devices, digital video recorders, PC’s as well as mobile devices. Axel Springer and Philips will showcase the new Personal TV solution in the second half of 2008 to the international trade.

TV DIGITAL PERSONAL powered by APRICO was developed on the basis of long-term research and analysis of present and future needs of television viewers, and was proven in more than two years of testing in real households. The service enables viewers to complete their current program offering with “virtual” personal television channels. These personalized channels are generated automatically and continuously updated; they reflect personal TV preferences and viewing behavior. In this manner, viewers are able to enjoy a tailor-made personal TV experience that they can easily use thanks to an intelligent and “self-learning” program profile.

“Supported by Philips as our partner, our successful TV program guide TV DIGITAL is entering the world of digital entertainment on a global basis by introducing TV DIGITAL PERSONAL,” says Dr. Andreas Wiele, Member of the Management Board responsible for Magazines and the BILD Group at Axel Springer AG. “At the same time we open up important new opportunities for our advertising partners, supporting them to continue reaching their target prospects through new forms of personalized advertising – with fully measurable results. TV DIGITAL PERSONAL fits perfectly into our strategy to migrate our print TV programme guide into the digital world”, Wiele continued.

Ruud Peters, Executive Vice President of Philips International B.V. comments: “We have succeeded in building an easy-to-use personalized TV experience for consumers, allowing them to enjoy the content – what and when they want, no matter where that content originates from in the literally ‘exploding’ entertainment universe, both on broadcast and Internet. Creating this alliance enables us to anticipate even better the future development of television in which a greater respect to personal tastes of the viewer is key. The combination between Axel Springer and Philips will be the basis for further developments as our alliance moves forward.”