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 ioko, a specialist in digital and on-demand media, today announces the impending launch of ib.tv, the first independent broadband television network to offer a secure “try before you buy” platform over the Internet.
 ioko, the developer and integrator for the ib.tv application, is working closely with Kilgarriff, who developed the concept for ib.tv after leaving Turner Broadcasting late last year. The platform enables viewers to search and sample promotions from a range of independent content before downloading the feature or series at high resolution to their PC or broadband enabled media device.
TAKING THE LEAD
“As traditional broadcasters battle with each other to maintain their share of airtime sales and distribution fees, we believe the time is right to bring this unique concept to market. With an estimated 70,000 new broadband connections every week in the UK alone, the stage is set for ib.tv to take the lead in independent broadband television,” said Kilgarriff.
Kilgarriff, who ran a market-leading stable of kids’ and movie channels including Cartoon Network and TCM, believes there is a significant gap in the market for a new player in the broadband television arena.
EYEBALLING CONTENT
Positioned between existing broadcast television and Internet search-based services, ib.tv will offer viewers a range of content genres. These include documentaries, short form videos, podcasts, pop promo’s, comedy shows, comic strips, trailers, short drama, mobile video contributions (iballs™), community-based interaction, celebrity endorsed products and retail services.
Producers and rights owners who join the new network will be offered a sliding scale revenue share for their content on a territory by territory basis, with the freedom to distribute on other platforms such as digital terrestrial, cable and satellite television.
Kilgarriff said “ioko has the best team to shape and lead the future of broadband television, based on their extensive track record in the media space.”
ib.tv
ib.tv makes use of innovative peer-2-peer technology from Kontiki*, termed the Grid system. The system enables users to securely and legally download content to their PC and experience fast, uninterrupted downloads. It allows ib.tv to offer content to a network of people without compromising on quality. ioko’s continued partnership with Kontiki further enhances the dramatic advancement in the distribution of video content over broadband to the European market.
“ioko works with leading broadcasters and portal operators who want the best technology and partners to gain competitive advantage. We’re delighted to be working with Richard to provide such a powerful and innovative platform to the independent media sector. It marks many industry firsts in the digital media space and we believe this will help producers maximise the value of their content. Richard has a strong commercial vision and shares our belief in the value of delivering top quality content over a top quality distribution platform,” said Fearghal Kelly, media solutions director, ioko.
The ib.tv service will be available in eight million broadband connected UK households from October 2006 and is expected to roll out to the rest of Europe in 2008.
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