One of the largest iTV games channel in the world, PlayJam, has been reacquired by its founder's company General Entertainment & Technology Corporation. GET Corp., the company where PlayJam founder Jasper Smith works as Executive Director, commented that the deal will allow stronger entertainment centered on free and skill-based games through interactive and video content.
“We’re developing the holy grail of casual gaming,” said Smith. “PlayJam will become the best iTV games service in the world where anyone can join. Empowering users to publish video content on the web and TV simultaneously creates a unique offering benefiting both broadcasters and brands.”
PlayJam is a part of Static 2358, a television and media business. PlayJam is played on 46 pay TV operators and 62 broadcasters across the globe.
With the deal, GET Corp. retains 81 percent of PlayJam and Static 2358, while the former owner, Open TV, retains only 19 percent.
PRESS RELEASE
Founder repurchases Static 2358 and PlayJam from OpenTV
Interactive media mogul Jasper Smith recently reacquired his former visual media company Static 2358 incorporating the world’s largest iTV games channel PlayJam from software provider OpenTV (NASDAQ: OPTV) to further develop the network.
PlayJam originated as a side project of Static 2358 during the dawn of digital TV in the UK, with artists, designers and programmers producing games to work on set top boxes. PlayJam channels launched on France’s Canal Sat and BSkyB in 2000, delivering both free and pay-per-play prized-based games. Fast recognising its take-up and technological capabilities, PlayJam soon became one of the most highly rated brands on digital TV, with Static gaining an international reputation for offering powerful interactive branding solutions working with clients such as Disney, Universal, BBC, MTV and Channel 4.
OpenTV purchased PlayJam/Static in 2001, recognising its value to broadcasters by increasing both loyalty and revenues from subscribers. Operating OpenTV’s content business, Static’s team has served 46 pay TV operators and 62 broadcasters across the globe. With central network operations based in London and offices in Denver, USA and Bangalore, India Static has built, tested and delivered over 3000 applications and are able to support all major operating systems.
Now available in over 55 million TV homes across the world via Sky (UK), Dish TV (USA and India), Sky Italia (Italy), Multichoice (South Africa), UPC (Netherlands) and Astro (Malaysia), PlayJam’s 800 plus games across all genres have gained over 8 billion downloads during the last 5 years, working alongside major media brands including Electronic Arts and Time Warner and IPC Media.
Newly established holding company General Entertainment & Technology Corporation (GET Corp) now owns 81% of Playjam and Static 2358, of which Smith is Executive Director. Open TV (NASDAQ: OPTV) retains a 19% stake in both PlayJam and Static 2358, cementing a global alliance between both companies.
Smith’s re-acquisition will mark a shift towards a stronger general entertainment theme centered on free and skill-based games through interactive and video content. By working with selected partners the company aims to seamlessly bringing together games, user generated content and social networking across interactive TV, mobile telephony and the web, ensuring that The PlayJam Games Network delivers the next phase in IPTV entertainment.
Comments Smith “We’re developing the holy grail of casual gaming. PlayJam will become the best iTV games service in the world where anyone can join. Empowering users to publish video content on the web and TV simultaneously creates a unique offering benefiting both broadcasters and brands.”
“We all believe in the value of PlayJam, and have a long-standing relationship with Jasper Smith,” said Harold Shelton, OpenTV Vice President and PlayJam board member. “We are confident he will lead PlayJam to growth and success and look forward to continuing a strong partnership.”
Smith is also the founding director of Electra Entertainment which provides next generation interactivity for digital terrestrial TV platforms as well as Fluorescent Media, a creative technology company specialising in live audience participation programming across TV, online, mobile and radio.
- Ends -
Notes:
About Open TV
OpenTV is one of the world’s leading providers of solutions for the delivery of digital interactive television and advanced advertising services. The company’s middleware has been integrated in more than 100 million digital set-top boxes and digital televisions around the world, and enables enhanced program guides, video-on-demand, personal video recording, enhanced television, interactive shopping, interactive and addressable advertising, games and a variety of consumer care and communication applications. Please visit www.opentv.com for more information.
About Electra Entertainment
Electra Entertainment provides set-top-box (STB) technology that facilitates the next generation of interactivity for digital terrestrial television viewers (e.g. Freeview in the UK). Electra works with major manufacturers to dynamically embed a special service enabling technology into STBs, PVRs and IDTVs to obtain interactivity on a par with, and in most areas exceeding, mainstream pay TV platforms. Electra's offering will include services such as an electronic programme guide (EPG), TV magazine, games, news, weather, betting, on-screen DVD rental and chat.
Electra's technologies are currently the only one of their type available, with multiple patents pending. They can be included in any type of TV receiver, from the lowest entry level STB to high end personal video recorders (PVRs). For more information, Visit www.electratv.com for more info.
About Fluorescent Media
London-based boutique production company Fluorescent Media specialises in live audience participation programming across TV, online, mobile and radio. Through an innovative combination of premium entertainment, user generated content and e-commerce, Flourescent take a fresh look on game & talk shows, reality series, documentaries and live events by putting audience involvement and social media in the centre of the program. Visit www.flourescentmedia.com for more info.
