IP Vision FetchTV Platform to be made available on third party devices

Friday, December 18th, 2009

IP Vision has today laid out a strategy to enable its FetchTV platform on third party set top boxes alongside its own range of Smartbox devices.

IP Vision has developed a partner programme for third party content and service providers. As part of this initiative, IP Vision will collaborate with ANT Software Limited (LSE AIM: ANTP), a leading provider of software solutions to device manufacturers.

This joint collaboration will bring together the complimentary strengths of IP Vision’s FetchTV platform and The ANT Galio platform, which will enable rapid integration of the FetchTV service on Hybrid Broadcast Broadband (HBB) devices, including Freeview UK and the emerging Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV specification (HbbTV) in Europe.

IP Vision plans to support a number of third party manufacturers in 2010, enabling access to FetchTV content and services on a range of Freeview and Freeview HD set top boxes and technologies.

IP Vision’s FetchTV SmartBox currently provides access to a wide selection of movies and TV programmes on a pay per view or subscription basis alongside free catch up TV services. FetchTV’s offering will be further extended to include Sky Player in early 2010. Sky Player provides access to a wide range of content including Sky Sports, ESPN and Sky Movies.

FetchTV is the only UK digital TV platform that delivers premium over-the-top VOD and TV content to television screens via a broadband connection without tying the consumer into a monthly subscription or particular broadband supplier.

Eddie Abrams CEO of IP Vision said: “We have worked hard to develop and launch a connected TV solution in the UK market. The FetchTV platform is versatile and is a beneficial addition to any set-top-box with an Ethernet connection, delivering value for consumers, content providers and manufacturers alike.

Delivering FetchTV on third party devices is the next natural step for us to ensure that IP Vision and FetchTV continue to lead in the UK over-the-top market, which is set to grow massively in the next five years.”

Simon Woodward, President and CEO of ANT plc said: “We’re pleased to be working with IP Vision integrating FetchTV with the ANT Galio Platform. The FetchTV proposition is an exciting content extension to linear broadcast offerings and naturally complements the vision of the emerging hybrid profiles which are seeing such strong growth in markets such as the UK and Germany.”

IP Vision’s own SmartBox device range will be extended to enable FetchTV customers to view Freeview HD broadcasts from early 2010.