News
Startup digital media company Sezmi Corp., previously called Building B, has unveiled its next-generation TV 2.0 service, which delivers all TV content – including broadcast and cable network programming, movies and Internet video – in a single package.
The company also said that it is starting trials in pilot markets in preparation for commercial launch with broadband service providers and national retailers later this year.
"Sezmi focused on the television consumer and built an entirely new television offering from the ground up to meet the needs of viewers that want a premium experience at an affordable price,” said Buno Pati, Sezmi co-founder and CEO. "We have rallied support across multiple industries and are excited to work with our partners to offer a new and differentiated TV choice to consumers.”
The company, then referred to as Building B, first disclosed information about its TV 2.0 service in August (story here), and the company drove home the point that it provides a video entertainment platform and service, not a set-top box (STB).
The service is a self-installable, out-of-the-box wireless product that provides consumers with a high-quality TV experience in just minutes, the company said. The offering is optimized for on-demand viewing – it allows consumers to watch what they want, when they want. And the company’s primary user interface organizes content as program lists – such as My Top Picks and My Channels – to simplify the search and viewing experiences.
The Sezmi remote control has buttons that can be designated to individual viewers, taking them to their own homepage-like screen on the TV where a lineup of relevant content resides. And subscribers can share playlists with friends and family, contribute to community ratings of shows and benefit from community recommendations, Sezmi said.
"Consumers are waiting for the television industry to catch up and meet their demand for flexible, advanced and personalized features in their television service, just like they've come to expect with the Internet, wireless communications and digital media,” said Kurt Scherf, VP and principal analyst with Parks Associates. "With the impending digital transition, the consumer shift to on-demand viewing, high-definition, Internet video and other disruptions, now is the time for a true television alternative to emerge. From what I've seen, Sezmi's differentiated approach, leadership and industry relationships makes it a strong contender to fill this void.”
Sezmi’s FlexCast video distribution technology combines terrestrial digital broadcast TV with existing broadband infrastructure to cost-effectively deliver video content, the company said. The system utilizes available capacity in existing digital TV broadcast networks and creates a private, secure broadcast transmission for content, resulting in a quality TV experience without the need to upgrade existing broadband infrastructure.
Sezmi has also developed a smart antenna indoor reception system that makes both its private broadcast and existing terrestrial TV broadcasts accessible in an unprecedented manner. This network-attached reception system can be placed in any location in the home and requires no user adjustments, Sezmi said.
"To deliver the full range of content that consumers expect at an affordable cost, we had to create a network that overcame the limitations of broadband and better aligned with mass market content consumption,” said Phil Wiser, Sezmi co-founder and president. "Our integrated solution seamlessly combines the efficiency and scale of broadcast delivery with the interactivity and access of broadband. As a result, we are able to deliver a next-generation television experience to a much larger group of consumers, and we can do it today.”
The startup is working with companies in the broadcast, broadband, content and advertising industries to create an entertainment platform that delivers enhanced value and new opportunities and offers broadcasters significant returns on their digital investments and targeted advertising abilities.
"Sezmi's innovative platform enables broadcasters to enhance their core service, while creating new revenue opportunities,” said Colleen B. Brown, president and CEO Fisher Communications. "Advertisers continue to tell us they want this type of measurable targeting to generate greater efficiencies on television and as broadcasters, we need this type of audience intelligence to more effectively connect our viewers with new programs.”
More Broadband Direct:
• Comcast’s revenue up, basic subs down in Q1
• Charter boosts broadband speeds in parts of Mo., Ill.
• Sezmi unveils next-gen TV 2.0 platform
• Verizon serves up HD VOD in Oregon
• AT&T to launch mobile TV in 58 markets Sunday
• SCTE Foundation announces Q1 grants
• Report: Mobile Internet extends audience reach for some sites
