February 11, 2010

Cable Ops to Deliver Online, Interactive Olympic Video

Fourteen cable system operators, all of which are participating NBC Olympics affiliates, will use Synacor solutions to provide their customers access to “Olympics Online Connect,” where their video subscribers can watch Olympic Winter Games coverage on NBCOlympics.com.

Operators working with Synacor include Charter, WOW!, Armstrong, Blue Ridge Communications, HickoryTech Corporation, Bend Broadband, Midcontinent Communications, Suddenlink Communications, Atlantic Broadband, Mediacom, GVTC Communications, Knology, Grande Communications and NewWave Communications.

For operators using the Synacor solution, authorized video subscribers will be able to access exclusive live and long-form online video on NBCOlympics.com. After identifying their cable TV provider, subscribers will be directed to enter their provider login credentials, which will be confirmed via Synacor authentication systems.

Cablevision

In related news, Cablevision Systems will be providing interactive TV coverage of the 2010 Winter Olympics to all of its iO TV digital cable customers with a set-top box. Cablevision's interactive coverage will be powered by ActiveVideo Networks.

An “Olympic Showcase” single-screen mosaic for navigation across multiple video channels will enable Cablevision customers to view and navigate through the NBC, MSNBC, CNBC, USA Network and Oxygen channels; as well as accessing on-demand content, Olympics news, features, photo albums, schedules and other content.

Using standard remote controls, Cablevision subscribers can search for, select and engage with Olympics video and information just as they can on the Web, yet can view content within the “lean-back” environment of TV.

The 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games will be held February 12-28.