Intel chips in with IPTV investments
Joseph O'Halloran ©RapidTVNews | 17-11-2010
In what could be a significant portent for the next big markets that the chip giant is sighting, Intel’s investment arms have made strategic outlays in two online video companies, YuMe and Verismo Networks.
YuMe offers video advertising technology across all digital media platforms–Web, downloads, mobile, and IPTV and will use the funds from Intel Capital to develop additional monetisation solutions across PCs, mobile devices, and consumer electronics (CE) devices. Claiming to be the only company delivering video ads across all screens, YuMe says that it will be able to provide additional revenue solutions for worldwide video publishers and scalable audiences for advertisers.
"In order to make three-screen strategies more attractive for device manufacturers and content providers, the industry needs to offer the ability to generate revenue from multiple sources," said Curt Nichols, managing director at Intel Capital explaining the funding decision. "YuMe's delivery platform and three-screen reach has the potential to accelerate the industry's efforts to incorporate monetisation strategies into all connected devices."
For its part, IPTV platform developer Verismo Networks captured $17 million in new funding, with the bulk of the money coming from Intel Capital. Verismo streams its content directly to the TV, rather than PCs, through its VuNow Internet TV product, enabling MSOs, ISPs and telcos to offer traditional channel as well as voice services and social networking applications.
“We are excited about the breadth of Verismo’s technology offering and their ability to integrate multi-tiered and multiple services for their customers with existing infrastructure," added Nichols on this investment. “Verismo’s platform opens up the market to new and emerging service providers."
Verismo will use the money to expand operations said Prakash Bhalerao, president and CEO: “Service providers have been struggling to meet new consumer demands of content anywhere, anytime. Our platform enables these providers the ability to deliver triple-play services profitably and cost-effectively … on and off their network."
