ITV

Tag: Jon Dakss

  • NBC Universal sees growth in interactive TV

    NBC Universal sees growth in interactive TV

    MUMBAI: US media conglomerate NBC Universal says that its television networks had a strong year in interactive television.

    40 iTV programmes or events were launched across 12 business units, and generated over 130 million web votes and SMS messages.

    The wide variety of iTV features ranged from choosing the Lucky Case for the chance to win $10,000 on NBC’s game show Deal or No Deal to single-screen synchronous interaction with Bravo’s Top Chef to in-show text alerts from the characters of USA Network’s The 4400.

    NBC Universal Cable Entertainment, Digital Content and Cross-Network Strategy president Jeff Gaspin says, “We need to find ways to engage consumers like never before. These interactive applications give us insight into our viewers’ behaviour and offer them opportunities to connect with their favorite programming.”

    NBC Universal director, iTV product development Jon Dakss says, “ITV is a huge area of growth for the company. It has significantly changed television viewing habits, making it a much more hands-on experience. Viewers are clearly responding in record numbers, and we are excited to launch a number of new interactive features in the coming year.”

    This year, NBCU says that it achieved several milestones in the iTV universe. The company launched seven single-screen iTV applications, more than any media company in the US, reaching millions of viewers. In addition, NBCU’s interactive programmes, like Deal or No Deal and Bravo’s Project Runway received over 100 million web votes and 30 million SMS messages. In February, NBC became the first U.S. network to deploy the same single-screen iTV application to multiple digital platforms simultaneously during the 2006 Winter Olympics.

    Moreover NBCU’s success in the iTV space has translated into several sponsorship opportunities. Bravo’s Top Chef and Sears Kenmore PRO accomplished three firsts for a US network programme by deploying the first sponsored 1-screen enhanced TV element over a digital cable network, the first 1-screen enhanced TV element for a show across multiple digital cable systems simultaneously, and the first sponsored cross-carrier video message to a cell phone. In Bravo’s first season of Top Chef single-screen interactivity that was made available to Time Warner Cable digital subscribers culminated in a peak of 30 per cent viewer participation.

    NBCU’s iTV department is part of a new NBC Universal division known as the Technology Growth Center, which continues to grow as NBCU’s digital efforts expand. The iTV team has made two new hires further bolstering its team. Andy Castin joins from ABC/Disney as a Senior iTV Technical Producer, working with NBC’s Sports and News divisions. Elena Ritchie from Motricity (formerly GoldPocket Wireless) also joins the group as an iTV Technical Producer and will focus on iTV initiatives for NBC’s entertainment properties.

  • Visiware makes interactive TV game from ‘Fast and The Furious’ film

    Visiware makes interactive TV game from ‘Fast and The Furious’ film

    MUMBAI: Further to the license agreement between Visiware and Universal Studios Consumer Products Group to bring Universal Pictures properties to interactive TV gaming, Visiware has driven its latest game, The Fast and the Furious to the starting line.

    Inspired by the action film The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, this sporting arcade game challenges players to experience the atmosphere of the underground Tokyo drift. For the uninitiated, this is a form of racing that replaces simple drag racing with a rubber-burning, automotive art form that consists of an exhilarating balance of speeding and gliding through a course of hairpin turns and switchbacks racing world. Viewers can do this all on their television screens.

    The game features three different modes in which the goal is to become the new Drift King. In Drift King mode, players race head-to-head against one to three opponents. In Pursuit mode, players must prevent their opponents from catching their car, while in Time Attack mode, players strive to set the fastest lap time. Authentic sound effects and images from the film are featured in the game.

    Visiware chairman Laurant Weill says, “We are happy to be partners with a group that has really made efforts to understand the interactive TV gaming market. It is a pleasure to work with Universal’s creative and professional team, especially on such an exciting project as The Fast and the Furious. We believe this is the best racing game available to date on interactive TV.”

    Universal Studios Consumer Products Group VP interactive Bill Kispert says, “The new film is an adrenaline ride, and Visiware embraced the challenge of creating an innovative racing game for iTV.

    “Whether racing against the clock, or fender to fender with an opponent, it’s fantastic that players can become armchair racers — and experience The Fast and the Furious brand — all with a click of their TV remote controls.”

    NBC Universal director of interactive TV, Jon Dakss says, “Visiware continues to push the boundaries of gameplay on the iTV platform. This game has wonderful balance and will appeal to racing fans and casual gamers alike.”

    The Fast and the Furious is the third game released by Visiware in collaboration with Universal. The first two games developed under the partnership were based on the blockbuster King Kong — included a quiz game and an arcade game.