DIC & SmartVideo to Launch First Animation Channel For Cell Phones
A precursor for where television is going, on the first day of NATPE, DIC Entertainment and SmartVideo Technologies Inc. announced they are joining forces to create “DIC Kid’s Network,” the world’s first animation channel for cell phones.
DIC is now making its massive library of more than 3,200 half-hours and 100 animated programs available for viewing globally on cell phones and wireless devices for the first time, using SmartVideo’s proprietary technology to deliver more of a true television experience, even over low bandwidth connections.
“Partnering with SmartVideo allows us to use our programming to introduce the next generation of entertainment venues,” said Andy Heyward, ceo of DIC (booth 1006 at NATPE 2005). “With today’s mobile family relying more and more on cell phones to provide everything from news and information to entertainment, SmartVideo provides us with the ideal tool to make our animation and family programming available to millions of people around the world every day. Until we discovered SmartVideo, no streaming media company was able to meet the stringent quality standards we demand for our programs.”
Richard E. Bennett Jr., president/ceo of SmartVideo, added, “It is highly gratifying that companies like DIC are capitalizing on the dynamic and powerful delivery system we have developed. I am extremely pleased that DIC has recognized our ability to provide a quality viewing experience to all subscribers whether they are watching on their cell phone or their home computer. SmartVideo’s mobile solutions put entertainment and information right in the palm of your hand.”
SmartVideo is demonstrating its services at its stand 1657 during the annual convention for television programming execs in Las Vegas. SmartVideo announced deals to stream content from ABC News and ABC News Now, CNBC, MSNBC and NBC Mobile and The Weather Channel. SmartVideo also recently struck a marketing and cooperation agreement with Microsoft Corp. in which Microsoft is distributing SmartVideo’s services through its WindowsMedia Mobile portal.
DIC’s development activities range from creating original characters, such as its flagship property, INSPECTOR GADGET, to acquiring worldwide property rights to renowned brands, including TROLLZ and STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE, as well as acquiring trend-setting properties from other media, such as SONIC THE HEDGEHOG and SUPER MARIO BROS., and then translating them into successful television, video and consumer product phenomena. DIC (www.dicentertainment.com) maintains a one-stop, full-service organization, headquarters in Burbank, California, with dedicated development, production, marketing, merchandising, and home entertainment departments. DIC is headquartered in Burbank, California, with international offices in New York, Paris, London and Cologne.
This agreement between DIC and SmartVideo was negotiated by Media Consulting Associates (MCA), a leading entertainment consultancy firm consisting of well-known television execs specializing in content placement, distribution and production. MCA members include Herman Rush (former ceo, Columbia Pictures Television Group), Joe Indelli (former vp, Orion Television Distribution), Jerry Katzman (former president, William Morris Talent Agency) and Ave Butensky (former president, Television Bureau of Advertising). MCA is based in Los Angeles.
“We are proud to bring these two exceptional companies together and enable SmartVideo’s state-of-the-art technology to deliver America’s classic animation libraries to people around the world. We are witnessing the first step in changing the manner by which information and entertainment will be distributed to today’s mobile society,” said Rush, ceo of MCA.
DIC is now making its massive library of more than 3,200 half-hours and 100 animated programs available for viewing globally on cell phones and wireless devices for the first time, using SmartVideo’s proprietary technology to deliver more of a true television experience, even over low bandwidth connections.
“Partnering with SmartVideo allows us to use our programming to introduce the next generation of entertainment venues,” said Andy Heyward, ceo of DIC (booth 1006 at NATPE 2005). “With today’s mobile family relying more and more on cell phones to provide everything from news and information to entertainment, SmartVideo provides us with the ideal tool to make our animation and family programming available to millions of people around the world every day. Until we discovered SmartVideo, no streaming media company was able to meet the stringent quality standards we demand for our programs.”
Richard E. Bennett Jr., president/ceo of SmartVideo, added, “It is highly gratifying that companies like DIC are capitalizing on the dynamic and powerful delivery system we have developed. I am extremely pleased that DIC has recognized our ability to provide a quality viewing experience to all subscribers whether they are watching on their cell phone or their home computer. SmartVideo’s mobile solutions put entertainment and information right in the palm of your hand.”
SmartVideo is demonstrating its services at its stand 1657 during the annual convention for television programming execs in Las Vegas. SmartVideo announced deals to stream content from ABC News and ABC News Now, CNBC, MSNBC and NBC Mobile and The Weather Channel. SmartVideo also recently struck a marketing and cooperation agreement with Microsoft Corp. in which Microsoft is distributing SmartVideo’s services through its WindowsMedia Mobile portal.
DIC’s development activities range from creating original characters, such as its flagship property, INSPECTOR GADGET, to acquiring worldwide property rights to renowned brands, including TROLLZ and STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE, as well as acquiring trend-setting properties from other media, such as SONIC THE HEDGEHOG and SUPER MARIO BROS., and then translating them into successful television, video and consumer product phenomena. DIC (www.dicentertainment.com) maintains a one-stop, full-service organization, headquarters in Burbank, California, with dedicated development, production, marketing, merchandising, and home entertainment departments. DIC is headquartered in Burbank, California, with international offices in New York, Paris, London and Cologne.
This agreement between DIC and SmartVideo was negotiated by Media Consulting Associates (MCA), a leading entertainment consultancy firm consisting of well-known television execs specializing in content placement, distribution and production. MCA members include Herman Rush (former ceo, Columbia Pictures Television Group), Joe Indelli (former vp, Orion Television Distribution), Jerry Katzman (former president, William Morris Talent Agency) and Ave Butensky (former president, Television Bureau of Advertising). MCA is based in Los Angeles.
“We are proud to bring these two exceptional companies together and enable SmartVideo’s state-of-the-art technology to deliver America’s classic animation libraries to people around the world. We are witnessing the first step in changing the manner by which information and entertainment will be distributed to today’s mobile society,” said Rush, ceo of MCA.
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