Press Releases
Harris Corporation Acquires Internet Broadcasting Innovator DESKTOPBOX
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LAS VEGAS, April 13, 2008 (NAB2008, Booth N2502) — Harris Corporation (NYSE: HRS), an international communications and information technology company, has acquired the assets of DESKTOPBOX, a Toronto-based technology firm that offers a unique, real-time Internet broadcasting platform that enables synchronization between a television or radio broadcast and an automatic PC browser Web-page broadcast. Harris will integrate DESKTOPBOX technology into its H-Class™ software product line and market it worldwide. The company will highlight the DESKTOPBOX applications as part of its media workflow solutions at the 2008 National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) convention taking place April 14-17 in Las Vegas. The award-winning DESKTOPBOX platform allows for a two-screen, enhanced TV and radio model in which content distributors can send Web URLs synchronized with a live or prerecorded program to the audience's Internet browsers — enabling a rich, interactive Web experience. During the program, Web URLs providing relevant, supplemental information are automatically displayed on the viewer's PC. For example, when a baseball player comes up to bat, the URL can display his statistics, or when a national automotive spot is run, the Web page of a local dealer for that brand can be simultaneously displayed in the PC browser. The music programming experience can be enhanced by Video on Demand (VOD) content, blogs, lyrics, album notes, fan Web sites, concert schedules and CD ordering information. Audiences can access the DESKTOPBOX-synchronized Web content during the scheduled airing of the show or during playback from a Personal Video Recorder (PVR), VOD server, or DVD. "We've been working with DESKTOPBOX since early 2007 on the application of their technology into our content management platforms," said Tim Thorsteinson, president, Harris Broadcast Communications. "By bringing the technology of DESKTOPBOX into Harris, we're able to more rapidly and extensively integrate their Internet synchronization technology into our media solutions." The DESKTOPBOX Web-based communications technology is being integrated with a range of Harris products, including the ADC™ and D-Series™ broadcast automation products, the Vision™ scheduling system, and the Landmark™, OSi™ and Novar™ traffic and billing systems. "Since our DESKTOPBOX platform allows for an advertiser-supported model, interfacing with Harris traffic and billing systems will allow us take advantage of Harris automated electronic billing features, making it easier for our users to generate incremental ad revenue and monetize the system," said Mike Church, the president of DESKTOPBOX. "Ultimately, the ability to track consumer dual screen usage allows networks, stations, MSOs and content producers to increase advertising revenue for a given program." Founded in 2003, DESKTOPBOX was awarded the "Top Innovation Award" by Television Broadcast magazine at NAB2007. Its innovative, real-time Internet broadcasting systems enable two-screen interactive applications for sports programming, awards shows, talent shows, news, weather, shopping and talk show formats, synchronizing with either television or radio programs. Other applications of the DESKTOPBOX technology include interactive video on demand, podcasts, kiosks, DVDs and online video streaming. Harris Broadcast Communications offers products, systems and services that provide interoperable workflow solutions that span the entire broadcast delivery chain. The Harris ONE™ approach brings together highly integrated and cost-effective products that are ideal for emerging media business models and for customers upgrading media operations to digital and high-definition services. About Harris Corporation # # # Contact Information: David Glidden
Robin Hoffman
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