Virgin Mobile Selects QuickPlay Media to Power Video & Audio Streaming Services

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--QuickPlay Media, the leader in mobile TV and video solutions, today announced that Virgin Mobile Canada has selected its OpenVideo™ platform to power their Virgin Live video and audio streaming service. In conjunction with this launch, Virgin Mobile Canada will make Heavy.com content available to the Canadian mobile market for the first time.

“We are thrilled to extend our Canadian reach into the mobile market, and to be working with a leading service provider like Virgin Mobile who will help make this initiative a success”

QuickPlay’s OpenVideo platform powers mobile video services for 11 major mobile operators in Canada and the United States, providing both live and on-demand content from more than 130 different content providers. Key features of the QuickPlay service delivery platform include a superior content management system, open APIs for ease of partner integration and advanced service delivery capabilities.

“When we decided to offer audio and video streaming to our Virgin Mobile customers in Canada we required a proven, scalable platform, capable of managing and delivering leading edge video content and a quality content provider that would drive service demand,” said Fil Giulione, vice president, product marketing, Virgin Mobile Canada. “The OpenVideo platform’s open architecture ensures that as market demands change, additional video services can be added quickly and easily. This scalability married with relevant, quality content from Heavy.com will help Virgin establish itself as THE provider of premium mobile video and audio services in Canada.”

Virgin Mobile Canada’s new video and audio streaming service will offer customers throughout its Canadian footprint a wide variety of content, including music, sports, news, entertainment and exclusive Heavy.com content. The service will initially be available to pre-paid subscribers with the Samsung m510 phones on both a pay-per-use and unlimited monthly subscription basis.

“We are thrilled to extend our Canadian reach into the mobile market, and to be working with a leading service provider like Virgin Mobile who will help make this initiative a success,” said David U.K., vice president and general manager, Heavy Canada. “Making our programming accessible on Virgin Mobile devices will introduce Heavy to a new set of viewers, all a good match for our flavor of content, and serve to strengthen brand affiliation with our existing fan base.”

“Virgin Mobile Canada is well-known for providing leading edge, value added services and content to the Canadian mobile market,” said Wayne Purboo, CEO and co-founder, QuickPlay Media. “Our OpenVideo service delivery platform will ensure that Virgin Mobile is able to manage and deliver large volumes of diverse content and easily manage mediation and settlement with partners -- all while providing customers with a high quality viewing experience.“

About QuickPlay Media

QuickPlay Media provides content management and service delivery solutions for mobile television and video services. The QuickPlay OpenVideo™ platform offers maximum flexibility and streamlined application integration for mobile operators and technology partners. OpenVideo works in many different mobile media ecosystems, operating seamlessly with major search, billing and user interface frameworks. QuickPlay Media Inc. has offices in Toronto, San Francisco and London. For complete information, please visit www.quickplay.com.

About Virgin Mobile Canada

Launched in 2005, Virgin Mobile is Canada’s first wireless service created for and defined by youth. The country's first mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), Virgin Mobile's customers have access to a portfolio that includes monthly price plans, a full range of phones and a broad array of messaging, music and mobile content offerings . J.D. Power and Associates has recognized Virgin Mobile as highest in customer satisfaction with prepaid wireless service for two years in a row¹.

The Virgin Mobile group of companies has attracted over 10 million stomers worldwide. Virgin Mobile phones are available at more than 4,000 locations with top-up cards available at more than 10,000 locations nationally. Virgin Mobile products can also be purchased online at www.virginmobile.ca or by calling 1-877-662-2824.

About Heavy.com

Heavy is one of the web’s leading consumer media companies and the leader for 18-34 year old males, which is a key demographic for marketers and advertisers. Heavy combines its own unique programming with those of its users to create an environment where you can control and even participate in your own media experience. Heavy empowers its audience to share, editorialize, and create their own content as well as provide its own library of programming. Heavy’s programming staples include “Superficial Friends,” "Knob Hockey," "Heavy News," "Behind the Music that Sucks," "Canadian Contraband “, “Kung Fu Jimmy Chow,” “The Massive Mating Game,” “The Burly Sports Show,” "Contagious," "Blisster" and "Machinima”. Heavy’s original programming is available on available on Virgin Mobile Canada this fall, Alliance Atlantis IFC, Action and Diva Channels and currently for free download to the Sony PlayStation Portable and the Video iPod. Advertisers on the broadband network include Molson Canadian and Coors Light, Honda, Warner Bros. Canada, Labatt, Fanta, Nissan, Panasonic, Diesel, Axe, Sony and Nike.