Interactive TV News Round-Up (IV): httv, Lovefilm, Oregan, MIPTV, Music Choice

Because the [itvt] editorial team has been busy this week working on the TV of Tomorrow Show 2011, we are covering recent news in round-up/summary form. Once again, we anticipate that it will take us a few days to catch up with all the news we plan to cover: so if your company has sent us a press release or briefed us on an announcement, and you don't see your news covered in this issue, please bear with us.

• French interactive TV technology provider, httv, contacted [itvt] earlier this week to let us know: 1) that it is launching a "new OTT player for STB and TV manufacturers using HTTP-based adaptive bitrate streaming and interfaced with Allegro servers." 2) French broadcast transmission network operator, TDF, has become the first customer for HTTVStream HbbTV, its new DSM-CC object carousel for HbbTV deployments. 3) it is launching PrimeEPG, an EPG solution for hybrid set-top boxes and connected TV's.
• Lovefilm, the company often referred to as "the European Netflix," has announced the launch of its WatchNow instant streaming video service on Oregan Networks' Onyx media browser for connected-TV devices. "The new partnership with Oregan Networks, the leading developer of media browsing technologies for connected TV's, will broaden Lovefilm's current service distribution to a host of new connected devices including Cello iViewer televisions and Digital Stream DPS-1000 set-top boxes," Lovefilm and Oregan state in their press materials. "Thanks to the open standards nature of Oregan's browsing and media streaming technologies, the integration of Onyx with Lovefilm simplifies the service delivery and uptake across further Internet-connected devices. Through utilization of advanced Internet standards, it will also enhance the user experience, interactivity and personalization of Lovefilm's streaming service on living room devices. The Lovefilm WatchNow application for Onyx media browser-powered devices is available both as a pre-installed app for newly manufactured TV's and STB's, as well as a remote upgrade to existing devices in consumers' homes. Lovefilm already offers thousands of movies and TV episodes to watch online via the Lovefilm Player and on Internet-connected devices including Sony and Samsung televisions and more recently the PlayStation 3."
• MIPTV has announced the 18 finalists of its sixth annual Content 360 contest, which recognizes achievement in four categories: "Interactive and Cross-Media Digital Entertainment Formats," "Online and Social Games," "Rich Media Tablet and Social-TV Apps," and "Smartphone App for Youth Engagement." "A total of 157 projects and videos were submitted this year from 29 countries across four new categories representing the latest trends in audience engagement," MIPTV states in its press materials. "The 18 chosen finalists are drawn from 11 countries, the biggest contingent coming from the USA, followed by the UK, Canada, Malaysia, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Venezuela, Singapore and South Korea...All the finalists will pitch their projects to a panel of executives from the global TV and media industry at MIPTV during live pitch sessions. The winners in each category will be announced on Wednesday 6 April, during an award ceremony in Cannes." A list of the finalists is available here.
• Music Choice has announced the launch of a new multiplatform show, entitled "The Cut," on March 21st. The show will be available on Music Choice on Demand, as well as on SWRV, Music Choice's 24/7 interactive video network. 'The Cut' gives artists a platform to connect with viewers by weighing in on some of the most famous, infamous, and iconic videos ever made," Music Choice states in its press materials. "Online interactive components for both versions of the shows can be found by logging on to www.musicchoice.com and www.swrv.tv."