UK satellite broadcaster BSkyB has entered into a multi-million pound strategic partnership zeebox, a UK-based app developer that combines social networking with broadcast television.
Under the deal, Sky is to integrate zeebox’s ‘augmented TV’…
UK satellite broadcaster BSkyB has entered into a multi-million pound strategic partnership zeebox, a UK-based app developer that combines social networking with broadcast television.
Under the deal, Sky is to integrate zeebox’s ‘augmented TV’ technology into its own applications and plans to launch the combined offering in the first half of 2012.
Sky will also acquire a 10% stake in the company, funding that is expected to be used to help zeebox expand internationally.
Founded by Ernesto Schmitt, a former EMI board director, and Anthony Rose, who developed and launched the BBC iPlayer, zeebox commercially launched its app in late October 2011.
Commenting on the deal, Jonathan Doran, principal analyst at Ovum said:
“Sky’s strategic partnership with Zeebox marks an interesting development in the evolution of the budding split-screen apps and social TV spaces. Alone, the start-up suffered from a lack of brand strength and product complexity, confining its innovative proposition to the earlier adopter segments. However, the Sky association brings both development resources and a ready-made target audience that has been primed for dual-screen activity by way of the well-established Sky+ app.”
