MediaZone, a global online broadcaster, announced at CES a beta version of its shared streaming Social TV platform, a service that features a healthy dose of sports content.
This latest MediaZone service enables social networks to form and interact with each other around professionally produced video. The creators say the new service enables TV channels “to launch globally and affordably.”
Since its debut in 2004, MediaZone has specialized in long-form broadband video programming, delivering more than 2000 global sports, entertainment and cultural events per year, including the Wimbledon Championships, the ING New York City Marathon and the FIBA Basketball World Championships. The company has also developed long-term exclusive content partnerships with major media brands including NBC Sports, AOL and the Shanghai Media Group.
MediaZone said it wanted Social TV to encourage social networks to form around a mutual passion for media, giving users the interactivity of the Internet with the quality and reliability of traditional television.
The platform introduces new features surrounding video programming, including chat with others watching the same show, ratings and comments, blog publishing and other tools to deliver a more comprehensive interactive platform than current video sites offer.
This year, Social TV will allow advertisers to participate in the platform and connect with its base of users. Advertisers will be able to employ a variety of ad formats from simple text ads to streaming video to engage the audience.
The latest version of the Social TV platform allows audiences to access content on a global basis and features a range of free advertising-supported programming. Sports content includes Extreme Sports Entertainment, KickXSSports (martial arts), MediaZone: Extreme Sports and MediaZone: Wrestling.
