STOCKHOLM and ATLANTA – Wireless manufacturer Ericsson and Turner Broadcasting said today they are collaborating to develop Turner’s Internet, broadcast news and entertainment content – including CNN International, Cartoon Network and Adult Swim material – for mobile multimedia environments.
The offering combines the delivery of Turner news and entertainment content with hosting and content management technology, developed by Ericsson. The first of these jointly developed services will launch in Europe on February 12 at the 3GSM World Congress trade fair in Barcelona, bringing a new CNN Mobile service to the users initially in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
The initial product launch – CNN Mobile – and subsequent launches in this collaboration will make technologically advanced multimedia content available to users in two ways. First, mobile operators will be able to deliver simple access to Turner content through their own branded portals. Additionally, end users will have access to content such as the CNN Mobile site directly on their mobile devices.
"With this deal, we will have for the first time a full portfolio of solutions – from SMS through to mobile television – that will scale and easily move across the world," said Casey Harwood, senior vice-president, digital media, Turner Broadcasting.
"Our service-provider customers throughout the world will greatly benefit from our partnership with Turner Broadcasting, as they will be able to provide popular mobile multimedia content from Turner’s vast catalogue and greatly enhance the multimedia experience for the consumer," added Jan Wareby, senior vice-president, head of multimedia, Ericsson.
The CNN Mobile product will be the first example of a true ‘off-deck’ portal for mobile users, providing a state-of-the-art news service. A searchable archive of 14 days and over 2,000 stories will sit with breaking news alerts and video news updates through the hourly updated ‘World News Now’. Available to CNN users in EMEA and Latin America subscription free, the service will be accessible through CNNmobile.com in all mobile browsers or through operator portals where deals are in place.
The mobile services being developed include intelligent software that enables devices to show only the actual content that is appropriate to the particular handset, resulting in a richer user experience, says the release. The services will be rolled out to further territories and both Turner and Ericsson have committed to further product launches throughout 2007.
The partnership also extends beyond content development, and will have on-screen elements on CNN International in a campaign that positions Ericsson as the global leading communications technology company.
