AOL and OpenTV Collaborate on Interactive Television
America Online (AOL) and OpenTV, a leading interactive television software provider, have announced a collaboration to develop AOL applications for delivery over OpenTV's interactive television platform. The partnership aims to bring popular AOL services such as e-mail and instant messaging to digital broadcast video systems. This move is part of AOL's "AOL Anywhere" strategy, which seeks to bring its services to various devices and platforms.
Key Takeaways:
- AOL and OpenTV will work together to develop AOL applications for OpenTV's interactive television platform, including e-mail and instant messaging services.
- The partnership is part of AOL's "AOL Anywhere" strategy, aiming to bring its services to different devices and platforms.
- OpenTV's CEO Jan Steenkamp sees the agreement as a way to deliver interactive information combined with favorite TV programming to consumers.
- AOL has made an investment in OpenTV as part of the collaboration.
- OpenTV's set-top box software has been shipped with or installed in over 4.3 million digital set-top boxes worldwide.
- OpenTV has deployed its software solutions with 13 television networks worldwide, including British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB) and TPS in France.
Statistics:
- 18 million members of America Online
- 2 million members of CompuServe
- Over 4.3 million digital set-top boxes worldwide with OpenTV software
- 13 television networks worldwide utilizing OpenTV software
- 20 digital receiver manufacturers licensed to use OpenTV set-top box software
- 100 independent developers and content service providers licensed to use OpenTV authoring tools
Sources:
- Business Wire, October 24, 1999
- America Online press release, October 24, 1999
- OpenTV corporate website, www.opentv.com