ABC TELEVISION NETWORK AND PROTEUS ANNOUNCE MOBILE CONTENT DEAL
The ABC Television Network has entered into an agreement with Proteus, a leading provider of mobile content, that will allow viewers to personalize their mobile phones with premium content from all of ABC's Daytime Soaps - "One Life to Live," "All My Children" and "General Hospital," plus the Touchstone Television primetime hit, "Alias," and late night show, "Jimmy Kimmel Live."
"We are very excited to offer our viewers the ability to customize their mobile phones with assets from their favorite ABC shows," said Bruce Gersh, senior vice president of Business Development for ABC. "The new suite of ABC mobile products we are developing with Proteus will provide innovative ways to deliver show-related mobile content."
The content offering initially includes ringtones, graphics and premium text messaging applications featuring ABC's lineup of Daytime soaps, "Alias" and "Jimmy Kimmel Live." ABC viewers will be able to browse, preview and order content that goes directly to their mobile phone via a web based storefront promoted directly on ABC.com. Moving forward, ABC and Proteus will work together to provide advanced downloadable content, including trivia games, chat applications and video clips.
The mobile content is currently available online at abc.com/mobile for the widest possible selection of devices across the leading U.S. mobile carriers, and will also be available for ordering via ABC's text messaging short code, 22288 (ABCTV), creating the potential for on-air, print and other promotional methods.
"Through our partnership, ABC is able to quickly deliver a broad range of content directly to fans of ABC shows, creating a new revenue opportunity and furthering audience loyalty," said Ken Krushel, chief executive officer of Proteus. "More and more consumers are downloading content using their mobile phones, and we are thrilled that ABC has partnered with Proteus on this ambitious and innovative mobile content initiative."
About ABC Entertainment
The ABC Television Network serves 225 affiliated television stations nationwide with world-class programming that includes many of the most widely viewed news, entertainment and sports series and specials. Primetime entertainment favorites on ABC cross various programming genres, with hit series ranging from "Desperate Housewives" and "Lost" to "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" and "Monday Night Football" -- in addition to top quality movies and entertainment specials. ABC is also a longtime driving force in other dayparts where programs range from the early morning "Good Morning America" to Daytime's "The View" and "General Hospital." The ABC Television Network is owned by The Walt Disney Company.
About Proteus
Proteus is a leading developer and publisher of mobile entertainment applications, including games, ringtones, wallpapers, messaging and video. Proteus publishes original titles and licensed products based on major entertainment and consumer brands, including FOX Sports, ABC Television, Granada Media, HBO, Discovery Channel and Paramount Domestic Television. Proteus offers direct connectivity to all major mobile operators in the U.S. and Latin America, reaching more than 200 million mobile subscribers across platforms including SMS, MMS, Java and BREW. Founded in 1996, the company is based in Washington DC and has offices in Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco. Visit http://proteus.com for more information.
|