ActiveVideo Networks in Deal to Provide Blockbuster with Cloud-Based User Interface for VOD and EST

Cloud-based interactive TV specialist, ActiveVideo Networks, announced an agreement with Blockbuster, Wednesday, that it says is designed to enhance the consumer VOD and electronic sell-through (EST) experience of the latter's Blockbuster On Demand service across multiple connected platforms. According to ActiveVideo, the deal will see Blockbuster using the company's technology to power a Web-based user interface for its service in the network cloud, that will allow viewers to search, discover and view titles of interest and that will incorporate previews and trailers and recommendation capabilities.

According to ActiveVideo, its CloudTV technology can enable rich user interfaces on any digital set-top box or broadband-connected consumer electronics device. "In the digital age, simplifying the ability of the customer to quickly find the desired title is every bit as important as it has been in our stores," Blockbuster's SVP of digital entertainment, Kevin Lewis, said in a prepared statement. "By joining with ActiveVideo, we're able to take a wide assortment of search and discovery tools that have proven their value on the Web and bring them to the television as part of an enhanced home entertainment environment." Added ActiveVideo president and CEO, Jeff Miller: "From its inception, Blockbuster has been a leading force in capitalizing on new ways to connect home viewers with the titles they desire. As we move toward a new generation of entertainment that is streamed directly to the home, we're delighted to be working with them to develop solutions that increase the ability of customers to move quickly from the browsing process to the final purchase."