itaas and Comcast Introduce a New Program to Enable a Fast, Reliable Way to Bring
More Interactive Applications to More Consumers
itaas will license Comcast’s TVWorks platform as part of a robust EBIF deployment package for
MSOs
ATLANTA, GA, and PHILADELPHIA, PA- April 1, 2009 - itaas, Inc. and Comcast
Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) announced today that they are working together to
help cable operators quickly and reliably deploy a standard interactive television platform built
on CableLabs®’ Enhanced Binary Interface Format (EBIF) specification. This platform will
give consumers new and different ways to interact with the programs they watch on television.
itaas will license an EBIF engine developed by TVWorks, LLC, a wholly owned
subsidiary of Comcast, and offer MSOs an EBIF deployment package that includes a license,
deployment support and maintenance services. As more cable operators move to EBIF, it will be
easier for developers and programmers to build new interactive features – from games and
information to voting and polling – because they will work on any cable system where this
standard interactive platform has been deployed.
“We are excited to support Comcast’s commitment to speed the deployment of
interactive television to millions of set-top boxes,” said Vibha Rustagi, CEO of itaas. “We look
forward to leveraging the experience we have built from working with cable companies,
developers and other technology companies to help cable providers that want to give their
customers the latest interactive experiences but may not have the resources to devote to it.”
“We’re using EBIF to help our customers enjoy new ways of interacting with the
programming and services on their televisions with applications, like caller ID to the TV, and
we’re trialing other EBIF features, including reminders to record favorite programs and using the
remote to order from home shopping networks, that we’re planning to launch later this year,”
said Mark Hess, Senior Vice President of Video Product Development for Comcast. “Combining
innovative applications like these with itaas’ tremendous experience in deploying them will
create new opportunities for developers and programmers to build new interactive capabilities
that can be delivered to even more consumers regardless of who their cable provider is.”
As part of the EBIF deployment package, itaas will provide each MSO with a list of
applications and programmers that have already been validated for deployment. Because these
applications are built on the industry standard EBIF specification, they can be launched easily on
any cable system that’s deployed the EBIF platform. MSOs can then decide based on their
business models which applications they want to deploy. Examples of the verified networks and
applications include Showtime Networks Inc (SNI), TAG Networks, Integra5 and iCueTV, Inc.
When MSOs purchase a license and support services program from itaas they are able to
leverage itaas’ decade-long expertise from working with multiple technology vendors,
application developers and MSOs. The EBIF solution being offered is compatible with Motorola
legacy and advanced set-top boxes and also will run on tru2way™ technology enabled cable
systems. The addition of the EBIF engine licensing agreement expands the year-old partnership
between itaas and TVWorks under which itaas, as part of its istart Developer Program, offers
application developers the TVWorks ETV development kit and support for developing
applications that run on the TVWorks platform.
EBIF applications that are ready to be deployed will be on display at the itaas booth
(#1401) at The Cable Show ’09, April 1-3 in Washington, DC.
About itaas, Inc.
itaas plays a unique, multifaceted role in developing and delivering interactive television. The
company reaches across the entire iTV ecosystem to ensure that customers are able to develop
and deploy applications, including ETV and tru2way solutions across multimedia devices. itaas
provides development, integration and testing services to the content or application provider
through the broadband network all the way to the set-top box or consumer device.
For more than 10 years, itaas has worked with all iTV constituents - service providers,
technology suppliers, application developers and programmers - to create and bring iTV services
to market. With tools, lab facilities and deployment support across a broad range of cable TV and
IPTV platforms, itaas has developed many of today's most recognized white label interactive
applications. The company is headquartered in the U.S. with international facilities and more
than 100 customers worldwide. www.itaas.com
About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) (www.comcast.com) is the nation's leading
provider of entertainment, information and communication products and services. With 24.2
million cable customers, 14.9 million high-speed Internet customers, and 6.5 million Comcast
Digital Voice customers, Comcast is principally involved in the development, management and
operation of cable systems and in the delivery of programming content.
Comcast's content networks and investments include E! Entertainment Television, Style
Network, Golf Channel, VERSUS, G4, PBS KIDS Sprout, TV One, ten sports networks operated
by Comcast Sports Group and Comcast Interactive Media, which develops and operates
Comcast's Internet businesses, including Comcast.net (www.comcast.net). Comcast also has a
majority ownership in Comcast-Spectacor, whose major holdings include the Philadelphia Flyers
NHL hockey team, the Philadelphia 76ers NBA basketball team and two large multipurpose
arenas in Philadelphia.
About TVWorks
TVWorks, a wholly owned subsidiary of Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK)
delivers interactive and enhanced software solutions that help take cable to the next level. The
TVWorks-Platform Division is located in London, Ontario and the TVWorks-Applications
Division is located in Mill Valley, California.
Press Contact:
Stacy O. Mitchell, JLM Partners for itaas, stacy@jlmpartners.com, 206-381-3600
Jenni Moyer for Comcast/TV Works, jenni_moyer@comcast.com, 215-286-3311