Broadcast, Sparrowhawk and iO Global announce the first deployment of TxtBIG! – the revolutionary new video messaging service

BT Media & Broadcast, Sparrowhawk and iO Global announce the first deployment of TxtBIG! – the revolutionary new video messaging service

  • Valentine’s Day launch at 3GSM - Cupid goes mobile!
  • Send the love in your life a Valentine video message FREE

(Barcelona, February 14th, 2006) The world of Mobile texting entered a new era today with the initial deployment of TxtBIG! – the revolutionary new messaging service developed by BT Media & Broadcast and Sparrowhawk (the owners of the international versions of the Hallmark Channel). Powered by iO, the leading provider of mobile content delivery solutions, TxtBig! is a new service which enables consumers to send video-based messages to anyone with a compatible handset.

The initial deployment of the service worldwide takes the form of a promotion on a Valentine’s Day theme; with visitors to the iO Global stand at the 3GSM World Congress (stand E 96) invited to send a personalised video Valentine’s message to their partners (or prospective partners!) free of charge. To use the service, hi-tech romantics simply need to select a clip, type the code into their message editor and write their message.

Video messaging is set to revolutionise the world of personal communications. The txtBIG! service will combine BT Media & Broadcast’s global strength in digital media, content processing, distribution and data storage with Sparrowhawk’s expertise in content production and iO’s skills in mobile content delivery to create a video messaging capability that will enable Mobile Network Operators and retailers to provide new services and provide a powerful new advertising medium for brands.

TxtBig! is an innovative and exciting new opportunity for mobile operators and content owners alike. For content owners TxtBig! offers a simple and transparent commercial model, handled by a media company experienced in marketing entertainment content across all markets and technologies.  For operators or retailers TxtBig! is an end-to-end technology and content solution enabling speed to market and creating opportunities for increased network revenues. Consumers will be able to download and send themed video messaging to suit any occasion or situation, and enjoy an enhanced texting experience. Full service launch is intended later in 2006.

ENDS

About iO
iO Global Limited is a venture backed company, formed to develop and market complete turnkey solutions to support the delivery of mobile content. Early operations have been jointly funded by BT, one of the world's leading providers of communications solutions and services, and New Venture Partners LLC, the leading corporate venturing firm worldwide. The iO platform enables fast sourcing, delivery and distribution of, dynamic digital content in any format, to any device, in any location, over any network.

The platform is unique in several important respects: in its simultaneous simplification and automation of the complex processes required to manage, transact, and deliver digital content, its ability to handle fast changing or perishable content, such as TV and radio to mobile, its real-time integration to operator billing systems, and the granularity of its reporting to both operators and content providers. All of these features are designed to dramatically improve the quality of experience to the consumer of the content. The platform derives from more than 5 years of development and engineering by BT, designed to assure scalability in carrier grade environments.

The iO service is currently available through BT Global Services.

About BT
BT is one of the world’s leading providers of communications solutions and services operating in more than 160 Countries.  Its principal activities include networked IT services, local, national and international telecommunications services, and higher-value broadband and internet products and services.  BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, Openreach, BT Retail and BT Wholesale.

In the year ended 31 March 2005, BT Group’s revenue was £18,623 million with profit before taxation of £2,354 million.

British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group.  BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York.  

For more information, visit www.bt.com/aboutbt.

About BT Media & Broadcast
BT Media & Broadcast is a media solutions industry leader providing digital supply chain solutions, content transportation & management, scheduling and play-out services to broadcasters, production houses and content-owners worldwide. BT Media & Broadcast is also a pioneer in digital content technology and provides solutions which open up new revenue streams for content owners by enabling play-out to mobile, broadband, PC, corporate networks and traditional TV.

BTM&B is part of BT Global Services. BT Global Services is BT’s business services and solutions division, serving customers worldwide. As an information and communications technology service provider, BT Global Services provides integrated data and value-added services to meet the European needs of global multi-site corporations and the global needs of European corporations.

About Sparrowhawk
Sparrowhawk Media Limited is the management company which, backed by Providence Equity Partners Inc. and 3i, owns the non-US television assets of Crown Media, comprising the international versions of the Hallmark Channel, the international rights to over 580 titles in the Crown Media library, and a state-of-the-art broadcast facility based in Denver, Colorado.  The channel airs in 152 countries to more than 60 million subscribers across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Australia, Latin America and Asia. Internationally (non-US) the Hallmark Channel, taken over by Sparrowhawk in April 2005, is committed to high quality, broad appeal, entertainment programming. The 'Hallmark Channel' logo, including the crown device and script word mark is a trademark used under license from Hallmark Cards, Inc.

For further information, please contact:

Alan Norman           
iO Global Ltd               
+44 01895 454 604          
anorman@iogloballtd.com

 

Jane Muirhead
Sparrowhawk Media/Hallmark Channel
+44 (0) 20 7368 9136
jmuirhead@hallmarkchannel.tv

Adam Liversage        
BT Newsroom            
+44 (0)20 7356 5366        
adam.liversage@bt.com


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