Ustream to Deliver Live Internet Video across Three-Screens With Verizon Wireless, Panasonic, Boxee and the New Ustream Lounge

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Ustream, the leader in live online video, today announced that its live internet content is expanding to three screens through new relationships with Verizon Wireless, Panasonic and Boxee. Ustream is putting the world at the center of all three screens by giving viewers a live, interactive experience while watching premium content such as live coverage of movie premieres and breaking news from around the world, whether its through a mobile device, on the PC or on a TV screen.

The Ustream mobile application for Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Mobile Broadband network will combine broadcasting and viewing into a single application and allows users to watch and RSVP to live events, share with social networks and take advantage of the speeds and low-latency of the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE broadband network. The Panasonic VIERA – Connect™ Ustream application, a first in live online video, offers instant streaming access of live and recorded content on Panasonic's line of 2011 VIERA Connect-enabled HDTVs. Ustream on Boxee gives users access to the most popular live and recorded content in a simple easy to use interface tailored to the big screen.

"We're excited that our users can experience Ustream in completely new ways through our relationships with Verizon Wireless, Panasonic and Boxee," said Chris Blocker, SVP of Business Operations for Ustream. "Ustream is the best way to get access to premium content and we're excited to deliver the applications and services that matter most to consumers across all of the three screens."

Ustream and Verizon Wireless are working together to webcast the Verizon Wireless news conference on Jan. 6, 2011 at 1 pm PST from the 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show.  The live Ustream broadcast will appear on Verizon Wireless' Facebook page: www.facebook.com/verizonwireless.

"Ustream helps people share experiences, and working together, we are bringing that to mobile users and showcasing what the speed and low-latency of our 4G LTE network will mean to viewers," said Jennifer Byrne, executive director of Business Development at Verizon Wireless.  "Using this technology to bring our news event to our Facebook page is a cool example of what Ustream can do."  

Ustream's newly-updated mobile application for high-quality broadcasting and viewing live video on-the-go will be available exclusively on 4G smartphones from Verizon Wireless in Mid 2011. The new application combines broadcasting and viewing into a single application and will give Ustream users the ability to access a number of new features, including:

- Share with your social networks when you broadcast and discover content.

- Watch live events and participate through chat.

- Discover the hottest Ustream content under "Featured," organized by Categories.

- Follow your favorite shows by joining Crowds and tracking events you're attending.

In addition to these new features, Ustream has fine-tuned the application to take full advantage of the Verizon 4G LTE Mobile Broadband network. Anyone using a device supporting high-quality resolutions on Verizon's LTE network will be able to broadcast and view content up to 10 times faster than on Verizon Wireless' 3G networks and more clearly for a better live mobile experience.

Live and recorded Ustream programming will also be integrated into Panasonic's 2011 line of VIERA Connect™ – enabled HDTVs. The Ustream application for viewing will be available with a wide range of entertainment options to watch on the HDTV. The newly introduced TV application allows viewers to enjoy live and recorded content in the comfort of their own living room along with the ability to Discover the hottest Ustream content organized by categories and follow your favorite shows by joining crowds and tracking events you're attending.

"We are very excited to have Ustream join the growing list of VIERA Connect IPTV offerings in 2011," said Panasonic Corporation of North America Vice President Merwan Mereby.  "VIERA Connect is taking connected TV to a whole new level of interactivity for consumers to deliver an unprecedented, more robust, two-way interactive set of features for consumers to enjoy directly through their Panasonic VIERA® HDTVs. The availability of Ustream adds a great interactive experience for consumers."

Ustream is also launching an optimized viewing application available for Boxee, and is offering anyone looking for a 10-foot optimized experience to sit back and enjoy Ustream content by visiting Ustream.tv/lounge from their PC. The Ustream Lounge is optimized for Google TV and works in most modern browsers to provide a refined experience optimized for larger screens. Viewers can tune into LIVE Ustream broadcasts, RSVP to upcoming content and search the latest recorded and LIVE broadcasts. Ustream users can press play and enjoy a number of features including:

- Watch live and recorded events and interact through chat.

- Discover the hottest Ustream content organized by Categories and through search.

- Follow your favorite shows by joining Crowds and tracking events you're attending.

- Share with your social networks when you discover content.

The Ustream Application on Boxee will be available starting Jan. 9th and the Ustream Lounge will be available starting today 1/5 at Ustream.tv/lounge

"'Live' continues to be one of the big holes missing from Internet TV today," says Andrew Kippen, VP of Marketing for Boxee. "Ustream has done an amazing job of building the infrastructure to support huge user demand, partnering with the right content providers, and making the content available to every screen.  They've set a high bar for what the live IPTV experience should be."

About Ustream

Ustream is the leader in live video and its platform empowers any individual, public figure or brand to stream to a global audience of unlimited size.  Ustream offers free broadcasting and viewing platforms for the Web and mobile devices. The interactive functionality within Ustream enables real-time engagement with Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and AIM. Hundreds of high-profile broadcasters have partnered with Ustream to reach millions of people. Ustream (www.ustream.com) is a privately-held company based in San Francisco, Calif. Follow on Twitter (@Ustream) or fan at www.facebook.com/ustream.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving more than 93 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 79,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications and Vodafone. For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company:

Based in Secaucus, N.J., Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company (PCEC), a market and technology leader in High Definition television, is a Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations.  Panasonic is pledged to practice prudent, sustainable use of the earth's natural resources and protect our environment through the company's Eco Ideas programs.  Information about Panasonic products is available at www.panasonic.com. Additional company information for journalists is available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom. 

About Boxee

Boxee is changing the way people experience home entertainment by bringing TV shows, movies, videos, and music from the Internet to the TV. Boxee's free software can be easily downloaded to any computer or embedded into TVs, Blu-Ray players, game consoles, and set top boxes. Boxee has quickly established itself as the best way to bring entertainment from different sources into one place - anything from a local collection of movies, TV shows, music, and photos, to streaming content from websites like Netflix, MLB.TV, Pandora, Last.fm, and flickr. Users can also discover new entertainment from their friends and share recommendations with social networks like Facebook and Twitter. More than a million people use Boxee to enjoy their entertainment. Learn how you can join them at www.boxee.tv.

SOURCE Ustream