Showtime Networks and Broadband Libraries have formed a joint venture, On Broadband Networks, a turnkey, fully integrated, private label broadband game service for cable modem and DSL high-speed access providers. The service is scheduled to launch the second quarter of 2007.
With homes with high-speed broadband connections at an all time high of 50 million households and the game market generating revenues of $9 billion and growing, On Broadband is poised to help cable and telecom companies easily tap into this market segment.
The service will provide a robust collection of full feature games and interactive software, which consumers previously had to purchase at retail. It will include free games, a game store with more than 500 games available for purchase, subscription offerings (which support both online and offline gameplay) and game related content, including game reviews, cheat sheets and tips & tricks. Users may discover, preview, sample and purchase new and classic games in a unique 3D environment the companies claim will be superior to what's available online today.
The service combines Showtime Networks' promotional, programming and marketing expertise with high-speed access providers and the game/interactive industry experience of Broadband Libraries.
"SHOWTIME has always prided itself in bringing creative, profitable opportunities and high quality programming to our affiliates," said Matthew C. Blank, chairman/ceo of Showtime Networks, regarding the joint venture. "On Broadband builds on that model, offering high speed access providers with a unique opportunity to extend their brands into the fast growing and lucrative game space,"
"We've spent the last 18 months developing this new delivery model and have kept gamers top-of-mind so that our service will allow broadband providers to give their subscribers the best possible game experience," said Peter von Schlossberg of Broadband Libraries and gm of On Broadband. "This was built from the ground up exclusively for them."
Pascal Brochier, president, global retail, Vivendi Universal games, an early advocate for On Broadband Networks, said, "The forecasted growth in the digital distribution of PC games over the next few years will only be achieved by initiatives like this that allow consumers a better merchandised games experience with sampling and simplified downloading."
There will be six free full feature games worth $120 in retail value available each month that users can download with unlimited play. At the end of each month, they can purchase the games from the Game Store. The service will offer players free access to popular game and interactive software from the following categories: Strategy/Simulation, Action/Adventure, Racing/Sports, Family, Lifestyle/Reference, Kids.
On Broadband's service will also offer a subscription component, providing a larger selection of games from each of the same categories, as well as a more targeted alternative to the "All You Can Eat" subscription packages available online today. This will include a special children's subscription section that will be walled off from the adult experience, and will be programmed by grade level .
Showtime Networks Inc. (www.showtime.net), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corp., owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME, THE MOVIE CHANNEL and FLIX, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME TOO, SHOWTIME SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME, SHOWTIME BEYOND, SHOWTIME NEXT, SHOWTIME WOMEN, SHOWTIME FAMILYZONE and TMC XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD, THE MOVIE CHANNEL HD, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND and THE MOVIE CHANNEL ON DEMAND. SNI is also an owner and manager of SUNDANCE CHANNEL, a venture of NBC Universal, Robert Redford and SNI. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV.
Founded in 2004 by former Simon & Schuster Interactive Game Publishers, von Schlossberg and Christina Kuzma, Broadband Libraries' primary focus has been the development of an integrated digital distribution platform that will deliver the next generation of gaming and interactive entertainment to broadband ISPs. On Broadband Networks is the result of that initiative.
