Interactive TV News Round-Up (I): adBrite, Jivox, ADB, AT&T, Showtime Networks

Because the [itvt] editorial team has been working on TVOT NYC Intensive 2011, we are covering stories in this issue in round-up/summary format.

•  Independent ad exchange provider, adBrite, said Thursday that it is partnering with cross-platform interactive video advertising company, Jivox, to offer advertisers video ads that incorporate Jivox's interactive and social-sharing capabilities. According to the company, the partnership will allow end-users to: "1) Share ads on popular social networks. 2) Watch long-form videos within the ad unit. 3) Download a coupon or informational document. 4) Link to a store locator to find the nearest location. 5) Take advantage of real-time updates with Twitter feed...adBrite was one of the first ad exchanges to enable real-time auctions for both display and pre-roll video ads, and has made significant advancements in developing pre-roll video ad units to complement display formats in its ad exchange," adBrite's press materials continue. "The company uses intelligence from larger-scale display campaigns on its exchange to enhance and optimize online video performance for advertisers and publishers. The Jivox platform allows brand advertisers, digital agencies and publishers to deliver engaging video ads powered by interactive and social sharing features. Through Jivox, interactive video ads can be easily accessed and delivered online, as well as on mobile devices and tablets. Jivox is the only interactive online video advertising platform that holds all five IAB certifications for all in-banner and in-stream video ad formats, as part of the IAB Compliance Seal Program. The Video Player-Ad API definition (VPAID) and Video Ad Serving Template (VAST) certifications standardize the process of serving in-stream online video ads, creating a universal communications protocol between ads and players. This helps publishers standardize on a single, in-stream video advertising platform, ensuring optimal ad serving, placement and monetization. Previously, publishers hard-coded their video ads and content, making it challenging to serve ads and scale up."
• Advanced Digital Broadcast (ADB) said Thursday that it has signed a deal to supply its "intelligent" wireless ADSL and GBETH gateways and Epicentro software to Lithuanian triple-play provider, TEO. Delivery of the solutions is slated to begin early next year. "ADB Broadband has been supplying TEO with its broadband devices since 2009, and will now add state-of-the-art intelligent gateways using its Epicentro software stack with OSGi framework and Network Application Portal," the company states in its press materials. "The Application Portal makes it very simple for consumers to transparently install home network applications from a dedicated 'application store.' Example services include energy management, home automation, home security, healthcare and more. Until today, these applications required complex software installations and an always-on PC. The A4001N data gateway uses a field-proven ADSL2+ platform, offering reliable, high-speed broadband access via both wireless and wired home connections. The high-performance EA4201N-G residential gateway provides similar ADSL2+ WAN connectivity, with the option to use gigabit Ethernet for fiber customers. It comes with WiFi 802.11n 2x2, 4 gigabit Ethernet ports for the in-home network, and two FXS ports for VoIP. Both gateways are running Epicentro Gold gateway software from ADB, and include a USB port for media and printer sharing."
• AT&T has become the first operator to offer its customers access to Showtime Networks' "TV Everywhere" Web site, ShowtimeAnytime.com (note: while Comcast customers who are also Showtime subscribers can access Showtime content online, they can only do so via Comcast's XfinityTV.com portal). The site offers around 400 hours of Showtime movies and other programming. Multichannel News's Todd Spangler has more.