Akimbo Systems has announced an agreement with HDNet, the leader in high-definition programming, to make select titles from its vibrant library of HD content available for download through the Akimbo Service for Windows XP Media Center Edition. This marks the first time Akimbo has offered broadband-delivered HD content for viewing on subscribers’ monitors or high definition televisions.
Akimbo subscribers enjoy the freedom to choose from more than 8,000 on-demand programs available through Akimbo’s impressive library of original, niche and mainstream content – including travel shows, documentaries, music videos, full-length films, sporting events, television series and more. Now, Akimbo subscribers can watch fantastic programming in stunning high definition through their Media Center PCs.
“Akimbo has certainly advanced television viewing with its award-winning Internet-delivered on-demand service,” said Jeff Cuban of HDNet. “The Akimbo Service offers HDNet an ideal opportunity to deliver our high-quality original HD content to an entirely new audience that has grown to expect and appreciate distinctive and cutting-edge entertainment.”
According to recent study from Parks Associates, HDTV sales will surpass $65 billion by 2009 and it is estimated that nearly half of American households plan to purchase an HDTV in the next year alone. As a result, the demand for high-definition content is expected to grow exponentially.
“Consumers are adopting HDTV at a rapid pace. Most of them immediately seek out new sources of great hi-def content,” said Joshua Goldman, Akimbo’s CEO. “With the addition HDNet’s content, Akimbo can offer a new and innovative way to meet this demand.”
Customers can sign up for a free trial of the Akimbo Service through the Online Spotlight area of Microsoft Media Center Edition 2005 PCs. A subscription to the first Internet-delivered on-demand service is $9.99 a month. To subscribe or find more information about what’s on Akimbo, please visit www.akimbo.com.
About Akimbo
With the Akimbo Service, your wish is on demand™. Named to the OnHollywood 100 by AlwaysOn and “Best of What’s New” by Popular Science, Akimbo has also accepted 2005 Digital World Innovations and CES Best of Innovations 2005 awards. With 12 patent applications featuring more than 150 patent claims, Akimbo is the first company to deliver digital-quality video-on-demand to any television via a broadband-Internet connection. Akimbo has offices in San Mateo, Calif. and is a privately held company funded by Kleiner
Perkins Caufield & Byers, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Sprout Group and Zone Ventures. For more information, visit www.akimbo.com.
About HDNet
Co-founded by Mark Cuban and General Manager Philip Garvin, HDNet (www.hd.net) provides viewers with exciting and topical news, sports, music and entertainment programming. The 24-hour all-high definition network features up to 20 hours of new original programming each week, all produced in the highest quality 1080i HDTV format - more original high-definition programming than any other network. HDNet news and entertainment programming includes original series "HDNet
World Report," "Face 2 Face with Roy Firestone," "Debate," "HDNet Concert Series," and "True Music," as well as acquired programs such as every episode of the acclaimed Warner Bros. series "Smallville." Live sports productions include National Hockey League and Major League Soccer games and NASCAR Grand National Division auto racing. HDNet Movies, the company's second network, is the exclusive home of day and date movie releases including "Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room," "The War Within," and "Bubble."
HDNet Movies also features a wide selection of major studio theatrical releases - all uncut, unedited, and appearing in their original aspect ratio - as well as features produced and finished in true 1080i high-definition. The HDNet networks are available on Adelphia, Bright House, Charter, DIRECTV, DISH Network, Insight, Mediacom, Time Warner Cable and more than 40 NCTC cable affiliate companies. For more information visit www.hd.net.
[via eHomeUpgrade]
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