OpenTV Corp. has signed a multi-year license agreement with Time Warner Cable to deploy the cable operator's digital navigator on the OpenTV platform. OpenTV said its digital navigator will enhance existing program guides, facilitate cross platform integrated services and get to market new product introductions on Time Warner Cable's Motorola set-top boxes. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
OpenTV's software is integrated into more than 67 million set-top boxes on over 40 digital television networks worldwide. This licensing agreement represents the first U.S. cable deployment of OpenTV's advanced digital solutions and applications. Initial launch of OpenTV's solutions is expected in late 2006 on Time Warner Cable's Motorola set-top boxes.
"This deal marks a historic milestone for OpenTV and the culmination of many years of work," said James A. (Jim) Chiddix, CEO of OpenTV. "Gaining a strong foothold in the U.S. 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."
OpenTV, a provider of advanced digital television services headquartered in San Francisco, will also provide its Core 2.0 set-top software, interactive applications, and infrastructure systems for application delivery, set-top messaging and advanced two-way communications. As part of the deal, OpenTV has agreed to make available a variety of interactive applications, like VOD, games, voting, and local content for Time Warner Cable's use. The company said it also expects to write additional applications for the OpenTV platform, OCAP and other platforms that Time Warner Cable introduces within its divisions.
"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, Time Warner Cable executive vice president and CTO.
