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National Datacast and Roundbox Unveil the Mobile DTV Publishing Platform(SM)

Posted on: Tuesday, 5 May 2009, 09:50 CDT

ARLINGTON, Va., May 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- National Datacast and Roundbox have collaborated on a Mobile Digital TV (DTV) Publishing Platform that provides a turn key means for content distributors and information providers to have their content published to Mobile DTV-enabled handsets, portable and automotive video players, laptops and netbooks, as well as other handheld devices. The emerging Mobile DTV format is based on the ATSC digital TV Mobile/Handheld (M/H) candidate standard. Starting later this year, TV broadcasters will begin to use part of their digital broadcast signal to deliver specially configured broadcast services that can be reliably received in a mobile environment. The Mobile DTV Publishing Platform combines the National Datacast nationwide content delivery network with the Roundbox Mobile Broadcast Suite 5.0.

The flexibility of the Mobile DTV standard enables numerous business models for program distributors and end users. Distributors have the opportunity to provide free, free/ad-supported, and/or premium and subscription-based services depending on the demands of their end users. Among other things, the Mobile DTV Publishing Platform will enable program distributors to leverage datacast technology to deliver on-demand access to data like video clips, news, weather, and traffic over a broadcast network.

Ideal for program distributors who cannot reach Mobile DTV users through their own spectrum, the Mobile DTV Publishing Platform provides content owners the means to address the Mobile DTV market on a national, regional or local basis. "National Datacast is excited about the potential of Mobile DTV," says Jaqueline Weiss, CEO of National Datacast. "Working with Roundbox, together we can deliver a turn key means for non-broadcast program networks and others to have their own presence in the Mobile DTV broadcast environment."

Program examples include:

• Full length programs and "minisodes" (condensed program episodes)
• Daily video news, sports, business, entertainment news and weather summaries/highlights
• Live real-time streaming data such as news, financial and sports offerings
• Music videos
• Movie trailers
• Featured motion pictures
• Mobile games

In addition, return path capabilities expected to be incorporated into Mobile DTV devices will enable deeper two-way user interaction for commerce and content purchases, thus enriching the bottom-line opportunities for content distributors.

National Datacast's point-to-multipoint content broadcast approach minimizes the costs for the delivery of general interest program content as compared to point-to-point methods employed by other wireless systems. The ultimate benefit accrues to the consumer, with greater access to high quality programming and data applications over their mobile device.

"National Datacast's deep network assets combined with Roundbox's Mobile Broadcast Suite for Mobile DTV provides a compelling platform for content providers to distribute media to mobile devices," said Dennis Specht, co-founder, president and CEO at Roundbox. "Our products enable video clips, web content, and various other types of file content to be distributed to consumers, providing a web-like on-demand experience, delivered with the reach and economics of broadcast."

The Roundbox Mobile Broadcast Suite consists of an innovative group of products for delivering content over mobile broadcast networks, including the Roundbox Server to centrally manage mobile broadcast services; the Roundbox Client SDK, a multiple-platform service layer for deploying broadcast services; and the Roundbox ESG, an application which makes discovery and navigation of content easy and intuitive.

Mobile video viewing is experiencing dramatic growth, and with roughly 11 million Americans watching "paid" video content on mobile in Q4 2008, National Datacast and Roundbox expect the Mobile DTV Publishing Platform to create new markets and revenue streams for content providers and distributors and create the ultimate mobile viewing experience for consumers.

About National Datacast:

National Datacast has been at the forefront of datacasting technology since 1988, when the company was formed as a for-profit subsidiary of the Public Broadcasting Service. National Datacast continues to be ,the leader in nationwide terrestrial wireless data broadcasting, providing customized solutions for delivering entertainment, information, and other digital content to consumers at home and on the go, businesses and government across the U.S. National Datacast's network integrates the broadcast facilities and capacity of PBS member television stations enabling clients to reach their customers locally, regionally and/or nationally; in real time or on a scheduled basis. More information can be found at www.nationaldatacast.com.

About Roundbox

Roundbox is the leading provider of mobile broadcast software for broadcasters, mobile operators, and device manufacturers. Roundbox's award-winning product suite empowers its customers to deliver innovative mobile broadcast applications, enabling them to increase revenue, enhance competitive differentiation, and improve the user experience. For more information, visit www.roundbox.com.

The Mobile DTV Publishing Platform is a service mark of National Datacast, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE National Datacast, Inc.

Source: PR Newswire

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