New
service provides social dimension to global mobile TV and empowers the viewer
to participate
theChanner
Worldwide Music Application is Launched Free to Consumers Today
SAN FRANCISCO (June 15,
2010) – Starting today, viewers can now enjoy live Internet television on their phones, respond to TV
channel promotional offers and use their social networks to talk about whatever
they’re watching.
A new service, theChanner,
begins offering mobile TV access
to live TV broadcasts from
networks and stations that stream across the globe. Moreover, it gives people
using iPhone and Android handsets a revolutionary way to discover, view and
discuss TV content on Facebook, Twitter, and more. Viewers can comment on the
various channels, share their favorites and discuss specific topics with their
community.
“TV Goes Social” as
theChanner becomes the first
mobile TV tuner that marries live global TV to the juggernaut of social
interaction. By providing a highly intuitive interface, theChanner sets mobile
viewers in a centric role, thus anticipating the future of television where the
consumer will interact and become the ultimate decision maker.
Available for $1.99 for
mobile devices, theChanner will enable 3G viewing on Android phones and wi-fi
viewing on the iPhone. theChanner can be downloaded at www.thechanner.com.
theChanner opens up a vast
world of television for users--including news, sports, weather, music and
entertainment on a global scale. As broadcasters start streaming their channels
live to the Internet, theChanner will search for them and add to its lineup.
With additional channels brought on board daily, nearly every mobile phone user
will find something of personal passion and interest.
theChanner viewers can
explore such International channels as ABC Australia, e-Music Television (United Kingdom), Hip Hop TV (France),
Fashionguide TV (Germany), Sky News (United Kingdom), IBA (Israel), Sport
Italia (Italy), NHK World (Japan), Press TV (Iran), Canal 44 (Mexico), among
many others. Many of theChanner’s broadcasters stream in English.
Investors can track their
stocks by watching Bloomberg TV, and viewers with specialized interests can watch
Scuba TV, Massive Mag Xtream Sports or Research Channel. A number of local
stations including Fox LA, Fox Dallas and Fox Chicago are already streaming on
the Internet and therefore available to the mobile audience using theChanner,
with more such stations coming. Visit www.thechanner.com for a continually
updated list of available channels.
“We know that some people
will immediately gravitate to their familiar favorite channels, but we’re also
excited about the adventurous viewers who wants to discover a more expansive
viewpoint and explore offerings from around the world that will grow their
knowledge about whatever intrigues them,” said Nina Alastruey, founder and CEO
of theChanner.
Music lovers will be able
to download a free version
of theChanner Music TV today as part of the launch. It is the first time a
smartphone application will provide access to 24/7 global music channels
including e-Music Television, NRJ Hits, HipHop TV, MAD TV, Music Box and
Interia.
theChanner can be
downloaded at www.thechanner.com/download.
ADDING VALUE FOR
BROADCASTERS
With increasing amounts of
video available, theChanner facilitates and aggregates the TV programming that
keeps viewers updated and entertained with content that matters to them most. theChanner
is a unique platform for viewers and broadcasters to meet, where they can both
take advantage of the Internet, adding new value propositions and participation
options. When viewers participate,
broadcasters are incentivized to create more programming for every lifestyle.
Two trends are at the apex
of theChanner’s launch. Viewers are changing their habits with mobile becoming
a centric device. While 50% of the Americans are still watching local news, the
home TV audience continues to decrease daily. Meanwhile, research reveals that
between 2008 and 2009, the number of mobile users watching video grew 70
percent, and nearly one-third of smartphone owners have now begun using social
networking services from their handset.
theChanner combines these
trends into a powerful application to help broadcasters reach the mobile
audience through the Internet. theChanner’s free broadcaster tools--accessible
on the phone or through the theChanner’s website--allows broadcast executives
to understand and analyze their mobile audience through individualized metrics.
Broadcasters also can use
theChanner as a powerful promotional tool to:
· compose direct messages to their audience
· ask them to participate
· download a video clip
“theChanner’s debut marks
the beginning of the TV revolution, where viewers and their friends can create
communities of interest around their favorite television shows or channels, and
increase out-of-home viewership,” said Alastruey. “theChanner gives content
providers a powerful, cost-effective way to capture audiences, foster loyalty
and monetize the mobile channel over the Internet.”
To reach the mobile
audience, TV stations simply provide their Internet stream to theChanner, which
automatically renders it in a way that meets each smartphone model’s unique
requirements, ensuring an optimal viewing experience. theChanner gives content
providers a turnkey platform and viewer base that reduces their cost, risk and
time to market for launching or expanding their mobile presence.
For more information
about theChanner, visit www.thechanner.com
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About theChanner
theChanner is the
first social mobile TV tuner, a service offering live global Internet TV while
providing mobile viewers an opportunity to discover TV, watch and participate,
sharing their opinions with their social networks. A highly intuitive user
interface, downloaded for only $1.99, opens a gateway to news, sports or
entertainment from around the globe. theChanner provides a powerful way for TV
broadcasters to make their channels available on smartphones, increase
audience, drive interactivity and grow the monetization of the mobile
World.
More information,
visit www.thechanner.com
