May 3, 2010

Ensequence Delivers EBIF App for Showtime Sports on FiOS

Ensequence will demonstrate Showtime Sports Interactive, an EBIF application, at the Cable Show in Los Angeles, May 11-13.

Showtime Sports Interactive launched to viewers in February and was made available on select Showtime boxing and mixed martial arts HD telecasts in participating systems.

Ensequence worked with the Showtime Networks in-house interactive TV team.

Initially available on Verizon FiOS TV, the interactive TV application gives fight fans access to stats, fighter profiles, polling, fight calendars and a trivia game - all on the TV screen, synchronized with the telecast. Showtime Networks is running the backend operation of this experience with the Ensequence iTV Manager programmer edition.

"Ensequence developed the client application, and we used their interactive scheduling system, iTV Manager, to enable us to deliver this experience in sync with the telecast," said Robert Hayes, SVP and GM of Digital Media, Showtime Networks, in a statement.

Viewers who want to use the application must respond to an on-screen prompt; then the interactive experience appears to be “floating” as it hovers above the telecast.

The application was crafted to work even with the graphic limitations of lower-end set-top boxes. Viewers have complete control of the experience, enabling them to explore content during fights or between rounds and also hide the application using their remote control at any time.
 
Unlike other voting applications, which require viewers to call an 800 number or vote via text message, Showtime Sports Interactive allows viewers to vote via the remote control in real time on the screen; there is no additional charge to participate.

At a “TV of Tomorrow” EBIF conference earlier this year, David Preisman, VP of interactive TV with Showtime Networks, said, "Our company has a commitment to make EBIF apps work across user agents for any operator that wants it."

(For more, click here).

-Linda Hardesty