Integrated Media Holdings (I-Media) announced that its subsidiary,
Endavo Media and Communications, and
Ahora, a Latin-focused digital media company, will launch multiple on-demand Latin entertainment services leveraging the multi-platform managed content delivery capabilities of I-Media's
WV Fiber Network and Endavo's content delivery platforms.
Ahora plans to launch online, broadband TV, IPTV and streaming video services supported by a combination of user subscriptions, pay per download and advertising. Including Ahora Musica and Ahora TV, the company will offer an entire groundbreaking suite of Latin-centric broadband entertainment and news services using Endavo's integrated content delivery solutions and Media Management System. All are scheduled to be rolled out in 2006.
Ahora has licensed Endavo's EnHance(TM) and EnGage(TM) broadband video solutions to support the delivery of the Ahora Musica and Ahora TV interactive Spanish language broadband service offerings. Ahora plans to begin marketing the services this month through various consumer channels and marketing partners. Ahora Musica will be marketed directly to online consumers in the U.S. through top Hispanic portals or through affiliate website partners who will integrate the Ahora Musica service into their existing web portals to add video to their sites. Ahora TV is set to be the first Spanish language broadband TV service delivered to every Windows Media Center PC already in the market and the millions expected to be sold.
With the planned acquisition of the WV Fiber Network now in place, Ahora is now developing additional service offerings that leverage Endavo's EnVision(TM) platform. Envision will allow Ahora to re-utilize the same media library already uploaded to the Endavo EcoSystem to create IPTV channels that are offered to broadband users directly as a streamed service, through web partners or directly through Ahora properties, and as high-resolution IPTV channels that will be offered to IPTV service providers who seek unique Spanish language television channels to differentiate their IPTV channel lineups. The WV network currently connects directly to over 70 contracted customers and more than 400 peers, many of which are or will be looking for differentiated IPTV content.
"Endavo makes it easy for us to leverage our media library expand the availability of our content to different video platforms, devices, distribution channels and ultimately consumer markets. They provide us with simple and productive tools that we can use to efficiently deliver and manage Hispanic programming online and easily get content to many consumer devices, such as PCs, TVs, set top boxes, portable players and more," commented Alexander A. Fiore, CEO of Ahora LLC.
"It is great to see how our customers, as they learn more about our multi-platform delivery capabilities, are utilizing their media to create to new services and revenue sources," said Paul D Hamm, I-Media CEO. "We expect the market to quickly see the value of the I-Media Group -- how we work together to create and support multiple turnkey solutions for digital content delivery, media management and d-commerce."
Ahora Musica is already available for users to register and join for free online, at
http://www.ahoramusica.com. Registered users immediately begin receiving music videos and can manage delivered video deliveries on their PC, Microsoft Media Center PC or connected TV, or portable media devices. Ahora Musica videos can be played in full screen, DVD quality with no wait time, buffering or stuttering.
"Endavo is now showing Ahora, the Latin entertainment and media industry and local broadcasters throughout Latin America how to leverage programming and content libraries to create exciting new broadband TV and IPTV services to reach audiences in the U.S. and around the world and generate additional revenue streams from their content," said Jorge Tomassello, Endavo VP of Latin Content.