NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--zeebox, the premier TV viewing companion, today launched its highly anticipated experience in the U.S. in partnership with many of the most influential media companies in television. In an unprecedented alliance, Comcast Cable, NBCUniversal, HBO & Cinemax are all teaming with zeebox in a first-of-its-kind endorsement of a universal, cross-channel TV viewing companion app for iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Android, and the Web. This marks an important beginning, with further partners expected to be invited in due course.
The brainchild of former EMI executive Ernesto Schmitt and former BBC iPlayer CTO Anthony Rose, zeebox has led global innovation in the market of TV companion apps since launching in the UK in 2011. zeebox uniquely enables consumers to discover what to watch by browsing comprehensive TV listings, social media and personalized recommendations.
zeebox’s cloud-based app recognizes the context of what its users are watching and enhances the viewing experience with relevant content and experiences from across the Web, TV programmers, social networks and advertisers. Viewers can engage with their favorite television personalities directly through zeebox and even buy the products they see on TV. zeebox also automatically displays more in-depth information about the programs as viewers are watching.
Through their strategic partnerships, Comcast Cable and NBCUniversal are taking the lead in the TV viewing companion app market by bringing their customers and tens of millions of viewers across hundreds of channels.
“We are proud to launch with this game-changing roster of partners who recognize the importance of fully meeting web-empowered consumer expectations,” said Ernesto Schmitt, CEO and co-founder of zeebox. “As consumers continue to flock to social media and the web to experience a program beyond what is on the screen, zeebox gives content owners and programmers a direct line of communication, feedback and engagement that has never before been possible.”
As strategic launch partners, Comcast Cable and NBCUniversal are backing zeebox with investments and promotional support, and are preparing to enhance hundreds of their top TV shows on zeebox, including the likes of The Voice and Notre Dame Football. zeebox’s revolutionary OpenBox API allows content owners to enhance their shows and channels on the zeebox app in a matter of hours, distributing exclusive content to consumers, connecting directly with fans through live interactions and social engagement, and monetizing the second screen alongside TV commercials through synchronized, targeted, relevant advertising and affiliate links.
HBO is the exclusive premiere network partner of zeebox, bringing highly acclaimed and award-winning programming such as Boardwalk Empire and True Blood to the social discovery platform as well as originals like Strike Back from sister network, Cinemax.
"We’re excited to team with zeebox on their US launch," said Steve Burke, CEO of NBCUniversal. "As the Olympics demonstrated, the second screen experience has become an increasingly important platform to engage audiences. We think the zeebox technology presents tremendous opportunities for our viewers and our advertisers."
Said Neil Smit, CEO of Comcast Cable, “zeebox is a really compelling second-screen companion viewing platform, and we’re excited to join such a strong group of industry partners in its launch. zeebox will offer a unique nationwide TV companion experience that will make viewing live TV more engaging, compelling and fun.”
“Our audiences have demonstrated a clear commitment to connecting with HBO and Cinemax programming on a deeper level,” said Eric Kessler, HBO Co-President. “zeebox offers a unique, comprehensive platform that drives discovery, engagement and conversation around our most beloved programs and stars.”
zeebox’s proprietary consumer research confirms that up to 70% of U.S. television viewers are interested in the unique feature set that zeebox provides. In the past year, the market for second-screen TV apps has been evolving rapidly but remains highly fragmented. Consumers today are using different apps and web services for discovery, social engagement and interactivity. zeebox brings all these features together in a single app that drives increased viewership of programming by making the live TV experience even more compelling.
zeebox launches with features including:
- A comprehensive 7-day TV program guide across all major US TV channels, enabling the configuration of customized channel line ups and booking of future TV show reminders
- Integration with Facebook and Twitter to enable social discovery of TV content, and engagement with friends and celebrities across live TV
- In-depth information about shows, talent, topics and products mentioned on TV – synchronized second by second with the live show
- Ecommerce links to relevant digital and physical products related to shows and the content of shows, with direct links to VOD content to come in the near future
- Optimized for the new iPhone 5, four-inch Retina display and on iOS 6 including Smart App downloads within zeebox and Facebook single sign on
The zeebox app is available for free from the App Store on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch or at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/zeebox/id513267737?ls=1&mt=8
The Web version is available at zeebox.com.
About zeebox
zeebox is the new, social, interactive and immersive way to watch TV. It turns your smartphone, tablet or laptop into an interactive companion that enables consumers to engage with friends around TV shows, to buy what they see on screen, to remote control their TV, and to get more information about whatever programme they’re watching including access to exclusive interactive content. By partnering with zeebox, broadcasters and content owners can augment their TV shows on the second screen, engage interactively with fans, and monetise this new medium in synch with live TV. zeebox was founded in 2011 by former iPlayer CTO Anthony Rose and EMI executive Ernesto Schmitt. The company is based in London and New York and is expanding rapidly into other countries.
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About Comcast Cable
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA - News) (www.comcast.com) is one of the nation's leading providers of entertainment, information and communications products and services. Comcast is principally involved in the operation of cable systems through Comcast Cable and in the development, production and distribution of entertainment, news, sports and other content for global audiences through NBCUniversal. Comcast Cable is one of the nation's largest video, high-speed Internet and phone providers to residential and business customers. Comcast is the majority owner and manager of NBCUniversal, which owns and operates entertainment and news cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, local television station groups, television production operations, a major motion picture company and theme parks.
About NBCUniversal
[NBCUniversal is one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. Comcast Corporation owns a controlling 51% interest in NBCUniversal, with GE holding a 49% stake.]
About HBO
[Home Box Office, Inc. is the premium television programming subsidiary of Time Warner Inc. and the world’s most successful pay–TV service, providing the two television services - HBO® and Cinemax® - to approximately 93 million subscribers worldwide. The services offer the most popular subscription video–on–demand products, HBO On Demand® and Cinemax On Demand® as well as HBO GO® and MAX GO®, HD feeds and multiplex channels. Internationally, HBO branded television networks, along with the subscription video–on–demand products HBO On Demand and HBO GO, bring HBO services to over 60 countries. HBO programming is sold into over 150 countries worldwide.]