Strategy & Technology Confirm Launch Of EPG Application On Freeview In New Zealand

Strategy & Technology (S&T), specialists in interactive TV playout systems and MHEG-5 middleware, has confirmed the successful launch of its EPG application on the new Freeview digital satellite service in New Zealand.
The free-to-air service – owned by a private joint venture company consisting of TVNZ, CanWest TVWorks, Maori Television Service, and Radio New Zealand - went live a few weeks ago. While launching with TV One, TV2, TV3, C4, Maori Television, Radio New Zealand National and Radio New Zealand Concert, more services will be added over time.
As well as S&T’s TSBroadcaster and TSPlayer playout systems, Freeview has also deployed an EPG designed by the company. This provides both consistent appearance and behaviour on all receivers.
There are currently two certified set-top box suppliers in the market with more to come. All major appliance retailers stock the boxes and have a Freeview accreditation agreement that allows them to use the Freeview brand in their marketing.
Given the success of the satellite deployment Freeview now plans to implement the same solution on its terrestrial platform due for launch in early 2008.
Colin Prior, International Sales Director with S&T, said: "We are pleased to see such a successful launch following a complex project implementation. We are also very pleased to see the deployment of our MHEG-5 EPG application, which is both bandwidth-efficient and provides increased brand awareness for Freeview."
On-going support will be provided by S&T’s local representative, Magna Systems & Engineering.
(DS)