In a world first, CNN International is to stream its 24-hour news channel live to mobile phones with the launch of a new wireless service, enabled by the Yard Broadcast Network (YBN). This groundbreaking service is launching on mobilkom austria where subscribers will be able to watch CNN International live on their mobile devices.
The service goes live in March 2004 in Austria where UMTS users will be able to watch the CNN International news channel on their mobile phones via a live stream over 3G technology. In addition the service will be offered also via GPRS for devices that support mobile streaming.
"CNN has been the pioneer in delivering news and information services to mobile networks and as wireless technologies evolve, it is the next logical step to provide a CNN video service directly to mobile devices," said Mitch Lazar, vice president wireless & emerging technology for Turner Broadcasting System International. "The emerging opportunities to stream CNN video content to mobile users is an important development as it enhances the user experience and increases the potential for generating new revenue for CNN and for mobile operators."
YBN downlinks the CNN channel "on the fly" and compresses the signal into a suitable format for mobile devices. The channel is then streamed to the secure operations set-up at mobilkom austria's data centre in Austria where the signal will go out to mobilkom austria's subscribers on its network only to be accessible by end users throughout the country who are mobilkom austria subscribers.
"We are extremely delighted to partner with CNN and mobilkom austria in providing the complete YBN outsource solution for the delivery of live 24x7 TV services across 3G and GPRS networks" said Sinead O'Sullivan, CEO, the Yard Broadcast Network.
"When it comes to UMTS, mobilkom austria is taking a leading role in Austria and Europe," said Dr. Boris Nemsic, CEO of mobilkom austria. "Yet we see it as our responsibility not just to launch technologies first, but to develop mobile services and products that offer customers real added value. Our cooperation with CNN once again demonstrates that we only work with the best and most innovative partners."
At its launch the service will be available to owners of the new Nokia 7600 phones who will be the first in the world to be able the to receive CNN television images live on their mobile phones. The high transmission rate of this UMTS mobile phone allows reception with sufficient audio and video quality. Other devices that will support mobile streaming include Nokia 3650, 6230, 6600, 7600, 7650 and NGAGE, Sony Ericsson P800, P900 and Siemens U10 and SX10 reaching a possible subscriber-base of 3 million
CNN is the world's leading international news channel and delivers round-the-clock headlines and reports covering world news, international business and sport, as well as current affairs discussion programmes, all of which will now be available to mobile users on the go.
End users will pay per minute to receive the service which initially will only be available to mobilkom Austria subscribers. CNN will be extending the service in 2004 with other mobile operators in Europe and Asia.
About CNN:
CNN Mobile is CNN International's service for mobile devices. Launched in 1999, it was the first mobile telephone news and information service available globally with targeted regional content. The service delivers CNN news content to mobile phones in a number of formats, including SMS, WAP, PartnerML for Vodafone Live, XHTML, cHTML for i-mode devices and CNNlive, a java news service which features CNN.com's top 10 stories, complete with photos and a scrolling ticker.
About YBN:
The Yard Broadcast Network (YBN ) is a global private transmission network providing a distribution and delivery platform including billing solutions for Live Television 24x7 and Video on Demand services to Mobile operators. YBN's outsource solution allows mobile operators leverage the opportunities arising from GPRS, 3G and next generation mobile devices.
About mobilkom austria:
mobilkom austria is Austria´s leading mobile network operator with a market share of 43,5% and 3.2 million subscribers in 2003. With its subsidiaries in Croatia, Slovenia and Liechtenstein, mobilkom austria group counts altogether more than 4.7 million customers and 3.655 employees - bringing quarterly in revenue of 537.1 million EUR. In the third quarter of 2003 the group also saw an EBITDA increase to 208.0 million EUR.