OpenTV has signed a significant deal to provide its interactive television middleware to Time Warner Cable and enable the operator to deploy its digital navigator interface on the OpenTV platform. It marks the first cable deployment in the United States of OpenTV interactive television software.
OpenTV said that the multi-year licence agreement with Time Warner Cable will enhance existing programme guides, facilitate cross-platform integrated services and enable new product introductions on existing Motorola set-top boxes deployed by the cable company.
OpenTV Core 2.0 advanced digital platform software and related interactive television services will be available to Time Warner Cable divisions running Motorola hardware, ranging from the the DCT-2000 to more fully-featured set-top boxes.
Time Warner is expected to use the OpenTV software to deliver various advanced digital televisions services, including interactive programming guides, video-on-demand, mosaics, customer service applications, games, voting, on-screen caller identification, and local news, weather and sports information.
OpenTV says it expects to provide Time Warner Cable with applications that “run consistently across multiple software platforms, including OpenTV, OCAP or other standards-based platforms”.
It represents the first cable deployment in the United States for OpenTV, which also provides interactive television software for the EchoStar Dish satellite platform. OpenTV also provides the software platform for BSkyB in the UK, and a number of other operators.
“This deal marks a historic milestone for OpenTV and the culmination of many years of work,” said Jim Chiddix, the chief executive of OpenTV, who was previously chief technical officer of Time Warner Cable. “Gaining a strong foothold in the US cable market has long been a goal of OpenTV, and with an anchor customer like Time Warner Cable we now have a firm foundation from which to continue extending and enhancing our solutions and services as digital television moves ahead in the market.”
“We look forward to leveraging OpenTV’s technology and track record to help us provide advanced video applications that our customers find compelling,” said Mike LaJoie, the chief technology officer of Time Warner Cable. “Time Warner Cable already delivers innovative services that are not available through any other video provider today, and partnering with OpenTV will help us maintain that leadership position.”
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.