BOSTON - (Business Wire) Backchannelmedia Inc. continues to build deployment momentum for its TV to Internet Click Through technology by adding WMUR-TV ABC Channel 9 in Manchester, NH as the second Hearst-Argyle participating station. This marks the second major market test for Backchannelmedia
’s patent pending system, and will happen concurrently with WMUR-TV
’s sister station, WCVB-TV/DT Channel 5 in Boston.
Using the Backchannelmedia system, TV viewers now have a convenient way to collect their interests by interacting with small, non-intrusive “clickable moments” in both programming and traditional commercial spots. Backchannelmedia’s technology provides the broadcaster with valuable opt-in data on viewer engagement, which helps their advertiser clients by measuring responses to these clickable moments in real time. The initial deployment will be to a closed group of over the air homes in southern New Hampshire. Backchannelmedia anticipates future expansion of its system through deployments of its TV Click Through to Internet platform through local cable providers and direct satellite providers that carry WMUR-TV 9.
“We are always looking for ways to improve the viewing experience of our audience and new ways to serve our advertisers,” said Jeff Bartlett, WMUR-TV President and General Manager. “We plan to accomplish both by using new technology and taking advantage of the opportunities provided by the digital transition. Backchannelmedia is developing that new technology.”
“Our technology rollout to WMUR is a critical step by Backchannelmedia to bring the ‘TV Click Through’ to broadcasting, focusing first on the Northeast region of the country,” said Daniel Hassan, co-CEO of Backchannelmedia. “We look forward to bringing this technology to WMUR test homes and eventually all WMUR viewers in New Hampshire and Boston.”
For those consumers interested in becoming part of the WMUR-TV 9 Market Trial please contact Darryl Honnold of Backchannelmedia at dhonnold@backchannelmedia.com.
About Backchannelmedia Inc.
Boston-based Backchannelmedia Inc. (www.backchannelmedia.com) was founded in 2000. Backchannelmedia has developed technology that can be embedded into existing set-top boxes currently found in many TV viewer homes that allows the viewer to forward or “bookmark” their interests from TV to the online world. That interactive technology combined with the Backchannelmedia Portal on the Internet creates a secure link between the TV and Internet platforms. This secure link can be used to create a richer viewing experience for the TV viewer by linking it to content and e-commerce on the Internet.
Backchannelmedia’s opt-in solution answers TV viewer concerns for increased online privacy by extending controls to the viewer for the TV experience. Backchannelmedia’s patent pending technology can be deployed in consumer electronics equipment, TV sets, over the air receivers, cable head-ends, switched digital video and network DVR technologies, direct broadcast providers, as well as a multitude of devices and delivery providers.
About WMUR-TV & Hearst-Argyle
WMUR-TV is the leading source of television news in New Hampshire, reaching more than one million people, and is the largest commercial television station in the state. WMUR.com is the most viewed New Hampshire web site for local news. An ABC affiliate, WMUR is owned by Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc. Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc. owns 26 television stations, and manages an additional three television and two radio stations, in geographically diverse U.S. markets. The Company’s television stations reach approximately 18% of U.S. TV households, making it one of America’s largest television station groups. Hearst-Argyle owns 12 ABC-affiliated stations, and manages an additional ABC station owned by Hearst Corporation, and is the largest ABC affiliate group. The Company also owns 10 NBC affiliates, and is the second-largest NBC affiliate owner, and owns two CBS affiliates. Hearst-Argyle owns more than 30 Websites and multicasts more than a dozen digital weather channels. Hearst-Argyle Series A Common Stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “HTV.” Its corporate Web address is www.hearstargyle.com.
Lois Paul & Partners
Terry Frechette, 781-782-5791
Terry_Frechette@lpp.com
or
WMUR-TV
Alex Jasiukowicz, 603-641-9073
ajasiukowicz@hearst.com
