DIVA TV's Viewster Online Video Available on TechniSat Hybrid Set-top Boxes

DIVA AG has completed a deal with TechniSat Digital GmbH to include its Viewster VoD widget on Technisat’s Hybrid set top boxes in ten markets beginning in 2011.

This continues the trend of pay-TV operators and technology suppliers racing to deploy online video and Web content services, particularly in Europe.

Other deals of note include:

ONO (Spain) and TiVO: ONO is the exclusive distributor of TiVo's advanced television services in Spain. Similarly, TiVo will become the exclusive software provider for all next-generation set top boxes deployed by ONO, including both PVR platforms and traditional "non-PVR" set top boxes. ONO and TiVo also expect to collaborate on solutions that make the TiVo experience available to consumers beyond ONO's cable footprint in conjunction with terrestrial and Internet delivered content - although specifics of these plans were not disclosed.

Telefónica and MeeGo-based Connected TV Devices (25 markets): In June, Telefónica announced it will jointly explore with Intel and Nokia how to leverage MeeGo's capabilities to provide content and applications to s smartphones, netbooks, tablets, and internet connected TVs.

MeeGo combines Intel’s Moblin and Nokia’s Maemo open source projects into one Linux-based software platform hosted by the Linux Foundation. MeeGo has already been endorsed by a number of key OEMs and application developers. MeeGo enables an open software environment for rapid development for a range of smart, PC-like devices and exciting new services.

Sezmi and Oregan Networks Offer Solutions for Interactive TV in Developing Markets

It's interesting that two different releases crossed my desk this morning, both related to interactive television services in developing markets (Malaysia and Latin America), but with different approaches.

Oregan Networks and Telefónica announced a collaboration whereby Oregan's Web hardware an software solutions will be used to bring online video and other Web content to Telefónica's customers via a set-top box. Although 64% of Telefónica's subscriber base is in Latin America, IPTV and other pay-TV services are notably limited in their deployments in this region. According to a recent Parks Associates study, however, television services in the Latin America market will grow by double digits over the next five years, outpacing service growth in Asia and other emerging markets.

Sezmi, a provider of a hybrid digital television offering in the U.S., has extended its reach into Malaysia with an agreement with YTL Communications, the Internet arm of YTL Corporation, Malaysia’s leading utilities and infrastructure company. The service will provide for wireless delivery of all consumer entertainment and communications services to homes and mobile devices in Malaysia by the end of 2011.

The wireless “quadruple play” service will offer voice, data and television services to the home and mobile devices over a hybrid broadcast and 4G wireless network. This hybrid television component of the offering is based on Sezmi’s television solution, which has already been deployed in the U.S. market.

Rumbling of Mergers in Europe

Amidst the talk and challenges of a merger between France Telecom and Deutsche Telekom wireless operations in the U.K. comes the news of a possible tie up between Telecom Italia and Telefonica. Setting aside the political implications, this recent news seems to be another step in the courtship between the two behemoths. Telefonica recently completed the acquisition of HanseNet in Germany. Prior to the acquisition, HanseNet was a part of Telecom Italia's operations in Germany. It will be interesting to follow which portions of Telecom Italia's operations will be up for a merger if one were to actually happen. Coming to the political implications stated earlier, the news publication La Repubblica claims that the Berlusconi family bought into Telefonica late last year. That involves Mediaset now? This is turning out to be quite interesting.

HOMEPNA announces 1st Technology Summit

AT&T, Telefonica, Cisco, Motorola, and TELUS to Present on Leading IPTV Home Networking Standard

The HomePNA Alliance is hosting its first Technology Summit to be held September 30 and October 1, 2009 in Houston Texas. The Summit, which is also being promoted by the FTTH Council, will be co-located with the 2009 FTTH Conference & Expo. The Summit will focus on technical and business insights surrounding HomePNA technology and its role in enabling an advanced digital home experience for end users.

The Summit will feature speakers from among the world's largest service providers, including AT&T, Telefonica, YES, TELUS, Tata Sky and Bell Aliant who will discuss HomePNA's role in creating compelling and competitive home networking and IPTV product portfolios for their respective companies. At the Technology Summit, Cisco, Motorola, CopperGate Communications and other leaders will also give their perspectives on the technology that so many service providers have adopted due to its fast performance and rich features desired by service providers.

Parks Associates is a media sponsor of this event.

For more information, visit www.homepnasummit.com.