SAN DIEGO, Jan. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MediaFLO(TM) USA Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of QUALCOMM Incorporated , today announced a multi-year agreement to license premium entertainment and news channels from NBC Universal for its TV-quality, mobile entertainment service. With this agreement, MediaFLO USA intends to bring consumers live, 24/7 access to select NBC Universal programming on two of the service's dedicated channels.
Through MediaFLO USA's service, consumers will be able to view, in the palm of their hands, both the unparalleled news and information coverage of NBC News and some of NBC Universal's best known entertainment programming. The news channel will feature live, full-length programs, including "Today," "Nightly News with Brian Williams" and "Meet the Press," as well as select programming from both MSNBC and CNBC. On the entertainment front, the channel will offer a select number of acclaimed NBC Universal primetime, daytime and cable shows, as well as access to the best late-night entertainment laughs around, including "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and "Late Night with Conan O'Brien."
"We are very excited to offer a linear, high-quality, full-length content experience to an audience of engaged consumers on the go," said George Kliavkoff, chief digital officer, NBC Universal. "Our partnership with MediaFLO USA allows us to present some of our rich entertainment and news programming in a way that has never before been available on mobile. NBC Universal will continue to develop innovative offerings, including targeting local programming and services with our affiliate partners, as the capabilities become available."
"NBC Universal has earned a reputation for creating imaginative programming and finding innovative new ways to deliver it," said Paul Jacobs, chief executive officer, QUALCOMM. "In partnership with NBC, MediaFLO USA will extend the TV experience into a fully mobile environment."
"MediaFLO USA is revolutionizing television by offering viewers an entirely new way to enjoy popular entertainment and news programming," said Gina Lombardi, president of MediaFLO USA. "The alliance of NBC Universal's content and MediaFLO USA's TV-quality video, intuitive program guide and fast switching between programs creates a mobile entertainment experience unlike any other."
MediaFLO USA is creating an unmatched mobile entertainment experience, delivering premium content directly to subscribers' mobile phones in partnership with wireless operators. Guided by extensive market research and consumer trials, MediaFLO USA is securing familiar, premium content from many of the world's leading media companies and leveraging its dedicated, nationwide multicast network to deliver live, full-length programming to mobile phones at TV quality.
NBC Universal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80 percent-owned by General Electric, with 20 percent controlled by Vivendi Universal.
MediaFLO USA Inc. aggregates and intends to deliver premium, TV-quality entertainment and information services to mobile phones over its dedicated nationwide wireless network. Offering an unprecedented combination of full-length programming, short-format clips and realtime information and entertainment feeds, MediaFLO USA will deliver a uniquely compelling mobile viewing experience. MediaFLO USA intends to partner with world-class content providers, wireless operators and advertisers to make its service available to U.S. consumers in the first quarter of 2007. Based in San Diego, Calif., MediaFLO USA is a subsidiary of QUALCOMM Incorporated.
Except for the historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, including the ability of MediaFLO USA to form timely and profitable partnerships with content providers, wireless operators and advertisers, the extent and speed to which FLO technology and the MediaFLO USA Inc. network are deployed, the extent and speed of adoption by consumers of MediaFLO USA's service, the speed with which NBC Universal programming is integrated into the MediaFLO service package, change in economic conditions of the various markets MediaFLO USA serves, as well as the other risks detailed from time to time in QUALCOMM's SEC reports, including the report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 24, 2006, and most recent Form 10-Q.
QUALCOMM is a registered trademark of QUALCOMM Incorporated. MediaFLO and FLO are trademarks of QUALCOMM Incorporated. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
QUALCOMM Contacts:
Julie Reynolds, MediaFLO USA Inc.
Phone: 1-858-845-3516
Email:
