Some Sling News…
Apr 23, 2007 09:00 ET
GCi(TM) to Enable Premium Digital Content and Services to Sling Media’s Slingbox Customers
GCi Will Integrate its Commerce Engine into Sling Media’s SlingPlayer Software Giving Slingbox Customers Better Options for Premium Digital Content and Broadband Services from Local Providers
BOSTON, April 23 /PRNewswire/ — GetConnected, Inc. (GCi), developer of the market-leading commerce engine driving the sale of digital services, today announced plans to integrate its commerce engine into Sling Media’s SlingPlayer software, which is used in conjunction with the Emmy Award-winning Slingbox(TM) to watch and control your home TV from anywhere. The GCi platform will enable Slingbox customers to purchase premium digital content and services from local area cable, Internet and satellite providers during the installation process of the SlingPlayer software. With GCi’s commerce engine integrated into the Slingbox, Sling Media will now be able to develop additional revenue streams and increase brand loyalty.
The Slingbox is a device that lets consumers access their traditional television programming wherever they are by turning any Internet-connected computer, PDA or smartphone into a personal television. The Slingbox redirects or “placeshifts” a single, live TV stream from a basic analog cable connection, digital cable box, satellite receiver or a media-enabled PC or DVR (like a TiVo).
“Sling Media is pleased to be working with GCi to deliver value-added digital products and services to enhance the Slingbox user experience,” said Rich Buchanan, vice president of marketing for Sling Media. “GCi offers a wide-ranging set of tools to take advantage of market changes, discover new revenue streams, deliver superior customer experiences and capitalize on the growth potential in the digital media delivery business.”
GCi’s commerce engine optimizes the integration and relationships between retailers, digital product manufacturers and service providers. By streamlining sales, and the complicated transaction process, the GCi platform provides a powerful means to help consumers determine and purchase the best digital products and services available in their geographic region. Ultimately, this drives sales for retailers, manufacturers and service providers who can now capitalize on consumer interest from the point of sale and through product installation and activation.
“We are extremely pleased to be working with such an impressive digital innovator as Sling Media and help them build ongoing and substantial relationships with their customers,” said Ali I. Riaz, president & chief executive officer of GCi. “The digital marketplace is dynamic and it is GCi’s goal to provide our customers with a competitive advantage resulting in increased product sales, consumer mind-share, new sales channels and revenue streams, as well as a platform to accommodate future growth.”
The combined Sling Media and GCi solution will be integrated into Sling Media’s SlingPlayer software as well as www.slingmedia.com in Q2 and will be available for both new and existing U.S. Slingbox customers.
About GCi
By simplifying the connection between consumers and service offerings, GCi enables merchants and providers to efficiently sell services to anyone, anywhere, at any time. Integrating and aggregating more than 25 of the largest providers, with a current catalog of over 500 services, GCi’s GetConnected Commerce Engine provides an end-to-end order management system that enables retailers, e-tailers and call centers to increase sales of video, voice, data, entertainment, software and related services through a multi-channel, personalized customer-centric experience.
Customers include merchants such as AOL, Best Buy, Circuit City, Dell, RadioShack and Crutchfield. Partners include providers such as AT&T, Comcast, Verizon and Time Warner Cable. GCi is headquartered in Boston, MA. For more information, please visit our web site at http://www.getconnected.com/.
Media Contact: Joanna Horn
Davies Murphy Group
781-418-2426
jhorn@daviesmurphy.com
Source: GetConnected, Inc.
CONTACT: Joanna Horn, Davies Murphy Group, +1-781-418-2426, or
jhorn@daviesmurphy.com, for GetConnected, Inc.
Web site: http://www.getconnected.com/
http://www.slingmedia.com/
It looks like Sling Media will be incorporating broadband streaming media purchases into SlingPlayer, their client software, so you’ll be able to sling media from more than a Slingbox. I expect this is also connected with the forthcoming SlingCatcher client box, as 3rd party content deals are an announced feature of that unit, in addition to slinging media from a Slingbox or SlingProjector on a PC.
