Virage-Enabled Interactive Video Expands Reach Through Strategic Partnerships

Strategic Insights -

Virage Inc., a leading provider of interactive video search products and application services, has announced strategic partnerships with Akamai Technologies, CNET Networks, RealNetworks, and THOMSON Multimedia, further expanding the reach of its Virage-enabled interactive video. These partnerships will enable content owners to publish, manage, and distribute their video assets over the Internet or corporate intranets, unlocking the value of their video content.

Key Takeaways:

  • Four prominent companies, Akamai Technologies, CNET Networks, RealNetworks, and THOMSON Multimedia, have invested in Virage Inc., a leading provider of interactive video search products and application services.
  • These investments, totaling $19.0 million, are intended to close concurrently with Virage's anticipated initial public stock offering.
  • Each of these companies has entered into a business relationship with Virage, extending the reach and performance of Virage-enabled interactive video.
  • THOMSON Multimedia has agreed to a $10 million private equity investment in Virage, making Virage its preferred provider of video indexing and search services.
  • Akamai will make a $3.5 million private equity investment in Virage, with Virage becoming a preferred provider of video indexing and search services to Akamai.
  • RealNetworks will make a $3 million private equity investment in Virage, teaming with Virage to provide improved video search to its millions of users.
  • CNET Networks will make a $2.5 million private equity investment in Virage, selecting Virage as its primary provider of streaming media infrastructure for its network of sites and content syndication initiatives.
  • Virage will supply CNET with comprehensive broadband video services, including video indexing, video search, video publishing, and video syndication.

Statistics:

  • The total private equity investments in Virage from Akamai and CNET amount to $5.5 million ($3.5m + $2.0m).
  • Virage has secured $10.0 million from THOMSON Multimedia.
  • RealNetworks is expected to contribute $3.0 million in private equity.
  • Virage's investors include prominent companies in the technology and media industries.
  • Virage has partnered with major companies in the media and consumer electronics sectors.
  • Virage's Virage Interactive services enable content owners to publish, manage, and distribute video assets over the Internet or corporate intranets.

Sources:

  • Akamai Technologies (http://www.akamai.com/)
  • CNET Networks, Inc. (http://www.cnet.com/)
  • RealNetworks, Inc. (http://www.real.com/)
  • THOMSON Multimedia (http://www.thomson-multimedia.com/)
  • Virage Inc. (http://www.virage.com/)
  • PRNewswire (http://www.prnewswire.com/)