ActiveVideo Networks Continues CloudTV Growth: Partners with TAG Networks for Web-Connected CE Expansion

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumer Electronics Show -- ActiveVideo Networks(TM), the global leader in cloud-based interactive television solutions, has expanded its relationship with TAG Networks to extend enhanced-gaming experiences to broadband-connected CE devices.

The combined solution, which leverages TAG Networks' industry-leading scalability with ActiveVideo's ability to deliver Web-based content as a single MPEG stream, brings popular, brand-name games to any connected device or digital set-top box. The solution is being demonstrated in the ActiveVideo suite at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show January 7-10 in Las Vegas.

The CE integration builds on the existing cable partnership between TAG Networks and ActiveVideo, as well as on recent milestones by both companies: TAG Networks recently announced that it established an industry record for streaming games density and scalability by supporting 2,000 concurrent MPEG game streams at 1.25Mbps with a single off-the-shelf 1RU dual quad-core server, while ActiveVideo successfully demonstrated the integration of the ActiveVideo client with Blu-ray Disc middleware developed by Videon Central, Inc. at the Intel Developer Forum.

"Historically, games have been one of the real drivers of interactive service adoption," said Henry Choy, vice president, business development for ActiveVideo Networks. "We anticipate that our relationship with TAG Networks will help to drive CloudTV engagement by giving our cable and CE partners access to an extensive library of content and unparalleled streaming games technology."

"CE manufacturers have a real opportunity to benefit from the high demands consumers have for a superior games experience," said Sangita Verma, founder and CEO of TAG Networks. "Our work with ActiveVideo provides an outstanding games environment via the video infrastructure, or via high-bandwidth connections."

As the market leader for games-on-demand to the cable television and IPTV industries, TAG Networks' games channel, TAG, is specifically designed to meet operational concerns, including limitations of headend space, power, air conditioning and bandwidth. The Company's platform reduces environmental impact and running costs while providing mass reach and ease of deployment to all digital cable/IPTV households by seamlessly integrating into their existing infrastructures.

TAG is currently deployed to hundreds of thousands of households throughout the US via digital cable. Additional deployments and trials are slated over the next 12 months.

The agreement is the second to be announced at CES by ActiveVideo, which currently is in nearly 5 million homes with leading cable and IPTV providers. ActiveVideo also announced an agreement with Blockbuster Inc. that is designed to enhance the consumer VOD and EST experience of the BLOCKBUSTER On Demand® movie service across multiple connected platforms.

ActiveVideo immerses viewers in an engaging experience that combines Web video, Web 2.0 functionality and traditional television. With ActiveVideo, viewers can navigate a completely interactive environment of both linear and broadband programming, including rich interfaces and graphics optimized for TV and remote control navigation; social networking; personal media; niche content; and targeted, actionable advertising. ActiveVideo uses intelligent MPEG streaming to deliver the Web 2.0 experience to a worldwide television audience through both legacy and next-generation digital set-top boxes and broadband-connected devices.

About TAG Networks

TAG Networks has created the nation's first massively deployable television games channel for cable, IPTV and internet connected devices. The Company's TV games channel, called "TAG", brings high-quality casual games to broad television audiences. Its programming lineup features blockbuster brands and classic favorites in a multitude of genres - puzzle, cards, word, trivia, action, sports, and kids' games - that appeal to everyone in the family. The channel also supports rich community features and multi-device interaction. As the leading games-on-demand provider, TAG Networks' revolutionary technology, which seamlessly integrates into existing digital cable and IPTV infrastructures, provides incredible scalability and ease of functionality. With proven broad demographic appeal and unmatched viewer participation for TV games, TAG enables TV operators to capture revenue from over 100 million gaming households which subscribe to a digital pay TV service. For more information, visit www.playtag.com.

About ActiveVideo Networks

ActiveVideo Networks is the world leader in cloud-based interactive services that are redefining television (iTV 2.0). The company's network-centric approach simply and inexpensively enables expanded programming, navigation and advertising possibilities, allowing viewers to define and share their TV experiences. ActiveVideo combines Web-based media and targeted, clickable advertisements with the high-quality video, immediate responsiveness and remote control navigation of television for uniform interactivity across all digital and IPTV set-tops, CI+ enabled televisions, and broadband-connected CE devices. ActiveVideo Networks is based in the heart of Silicon Valley, with offices in Los Angeles, Baltimore and Hilversum, the Netherlands. For more information, visit www.activevideo.com.

SOURCE ActiveVideo Networks