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Hybrid TV and IBES partner to demonstrate the consumer benefits of the NBN

Hybrid SmartStreet Project appoints University of Melbourne research institute to carry out broadband study

Hobart, Australia, 9 December, 2009 - Hybrid Television Services (ANZ) Pty Limited, the exclusive licensee of TiVo® in Australia and New Zealand and the creator of CASPA™ On-Demand, today announced the Institute for a Broadband Enabled Society (IBES) of the University of Melbourne as the appointed research unit for the "Hybrid SmartStreet Project".

IBES is the Australia's first cross-disciplinary research institute in Australia dedicated to maximising the community benefits of broadband technologies.

The aim of the Hybrid SmartStreet Project is to facilitate greater awareness and understanding of the tangible benefits a National Broadband Network (NBN) will bring to Australians. The Project will demonstrate the value of converged digital broadcast with broadband-enabled content and services delivered over high speed internet connections through the TiVo media device and the CASPA On-Demand content and services portal.

"The NBN will transform the way content is delivered, and innovative broadband applications such as Hybrid TV's new content and service platform, CASPATM On-Demand, provide exciting research opportunities enabling us to better understand consumer behaviour as we transition to the NBN environment where the television provides more than TV entertainment", said Professor Rod Tucker, Director of IBES.

"With our clear mandate and specialist research team, IBES is well placed to undertake this research. We look forward to working with Hybrid TV and the Tasmanian Government on delivering research outcomes regarding the consumer benefits a national broadband network will bring through the Hybrid SmartStreet Project", he added.

"We are proud to partner with IBES on this journey to uncover consumer behaviour in a ubiquitous high speed broadband environment. We look forward to sharing our findings with the rest of Australia in the lead up to the realisation of our broadband connected country. It is important that Australians get an informed view of the NBN through either participation in the Project or by way of registering to learn more as we release the results", said Robbee Minicola, Chief Executive of Hybrid TV.

Research carried out by IBES will endeavour to reveal answers to the following research questions:

  • What will drive uptake of new broadband services and what are the barriers to adoption?
  • How might people use broadband-enabled technologies through their television - beyond entertainment alone?
  • What role can the advertiser play in subsidising content and services?

The research undertaken will be tested through the TiVo device and CASPA™ On-Demand platform. The TiVo device currently provides access and control of Freeview channels and is HD Digital Ready to the Federal Government's Get Ready for Digital Scheme. CASPA™ On-Demand, facilitated through the TiVo device, provides the gateway to the internet and is the primary source of entertainment and services delivered into the homes of those involved in the research trial.

For further information, please visit and register your interest in learning more about the project or participating in the research: www.hybridsmartstreet.com.au

 

About Hybrid Television Services (ANZ) Pty Limited

Hybrid Television Services (ANZ) Pty Limited is the exclusive licensee of TiVo products in Australia and New Zealand. CASPA is a registered trademark of Hybrid Television Services (ANZ) Pty Limited. The TiVo media device is HD Digital Ready in accordance with the Australian Government's Digital Ready Scheme, Freeview compliant in Australia and Freeview|HD compatible in New Zealand. Since 1 December 2009, the TiVo service combines access and control of digital terrestrial television with CASPA On-Demand broadband movies, TV, music, games and services.
The TiVo product was originally pioneered in 1997 in the USA by TiVo Inc. In 2008, TiVo technology was brought to Australia by Hybrid Television Services (ANZ) Pty Limited in August 2008 and was launched in New Zealand 1
November 2009. Hybrid TV is owned by the Seven Media Group (Australia) and TVNZ (New Zealand). For more information see www.mytivo.com.au, www.mytivo.co.nz, www.hybridtv.com.au, www.hybridsmartstreet.com.au

TiVo, 'TiVo, TV your way.', Season Pass, WishList, TiVoToGo, Stop||Watch, Power||Watch, and the TiVo Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of TiVo Inc. or its subsidiaries worldwide. ©2009. TiVo Inc. All rights reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

About The Institute for a Broadband-Enabled Society

The Institute for a Broadband-Enabled Society (IBES) is a new cross-disciplinary research institute at the University of Melbourne dedicated to products, services, and innovations that maximize the benefit of broadband technologies to Australian society. The Institute's activities cover a wide range of fields including online engagement, content creation and delivery, delivery of remote health services and education, business and service transformation, social networking, entertainment and advanced broadband technologies.

For more information visit http://www.broadband.unimelb.edu.au/

Brooke Radich
PR Consultant
Tel +61 2 8986 1771
Mob +61 412 393 293

 

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