Showtime Teams with Transpera on Free, Ad-Supported iPhone/iPod touch Application

Premium programmer, Showtime Networks, launched a free iPhone/iPod touch application, Tuesday, in the Apple App Store. The app, which is powered by mobile video delivery and advertising network provider Transpera, allows users to sample a selection of full episodes and video clips from various Showtime original series, and also allows targeted, dynamic mobile advertising, the company says.

Showtime original series offering full episodes on the new iPhone app include "Dexter" and "Californication" (whose season premiere episodes are available through the app), as well as "United States of Tara," "Weeds," "Nurse Jackie," "The Tudors," "Tracey Ullman's State of the Union," and "Penn & Teller: Bullshit!" New video will be added to the app on a regular basis, Showtime says, including sneak peek clips of next week's episodes, behind-the-scenes features, interviews with cast members and guest stars, and a selection of video content that has been created specifically for digital platforms.

The app also provides users with related programming schedules for all Showtime's channels, as well as games, podcasts and soundtracks based on Showtime series. In addition, it provides a click-to-call feature that, for a limited time, will allow users who are not Showtime subscribers to subscribe to the premium programming service for $7.99 a month or less, Showtime says.

According to Transpera, the app features various mobile ad avails powered by the company's advertising platform, including targeted 5- to 15-second "Peek" pre-roll video coupled with display advertising. Display placements click through to branded mobile pages, the company says, while pre-roll video units are "stitched seamlessly" to the front of user-selected content. "We're proud of our continued relationship with Showtime Networks and are dedicated to delivering unparalleled video experiences to the mobile phone," Transpera founder and CEO, Frank Barbieri, said in a prepared statement. "On the advertising front, we're seeing double-digit lift across every measure for brands that advertise with us, meaning great and relevant value for Showtime, advertisers and consumers who get to enjoy the content. Mobile video is an effective and efficient way to reach and engage audiences."