Ericsson and Endemol sign global partnership

Ericsson and Endemol International B.V. today announced a global partnership agreement to develop interactive TV and user-generated content via Ericsson's 'Me-On-TV' solution.

The Ericsson 'Me-On-TV' solution was developed in partnership with Endemol, a global leader in TV and digital entertainment, and Dutch technology company Triple IT.

'Me-On-TV' is a network and device-independent technology, allowing consumers to upload, publish and share live or pre-recorded video content via any mobile device, from anywhere to any screen around the world. Consumers can transmit to websites, TV broadcasts, or stay in contact with friends in a community. It also allows broadcasters, internet sites, and mobile network operators to directly manage live and on demand content via state-of-the-are editorial management tools.

Jan Wäreby, Senior Vice President and Head of Ericsson's multimedia business, says: "This global partnership flags Ericsson's commitment to establish a leading position in multimedia. It shows our partnership approach with innovators in complementary fields to develop consumer solutions for multiple screens that can benefit media companies and operators alike."

William Linders, Executive Director of Digital Media at Endemol International, says: "We're delighted to be working with Ericsson on this exciting new technology. The market for digital content is rapidly evolving and 'Me-On-TV' could have a significant impact on the way consumers interact with TV and digital media."

'Me-On-TV' will be offered as a white-label service to content aggregators such as broadcasters, internet sites, and network operators. It will be delivered as an end-to-end service, fully integrated, hosted and managed by Ericsson.

Endemol will act as a distributor for 'Me-On-TV', licensing the technology as an integrated service in existing and newly developed TV and multimedia formats. 'Me-On-TV' is already being used by Endemol in the Netherlands. Last season's Big Brother TV series saw ex-housemates using the technology to communicate with the house, and this week Endemol in the Netherlands launched the "Ik op TV" format on TV and the internet, in which 'Me-On-TV' is used by citizens to broadcast live and recorded content from their mobile phones, as well as to broadcast live interviews to the program.

De Mol buys back Endemol

Media and Marketing Europe reports that Dutch media tycoon John de Mol has re-purchased Endemol, his previously owned Dutch-based European production company, along with equal partners Mediaset, owned by former Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi, and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners.

The consortium is paying Spanish telecom group Telefónica €2.63bn for a 75% stake in the 'Big Brother' producer. It aims to acquire the remaining 25%, which was floated on the Dutch Stock Exchange in 2005.

Seven years ago Telefónica paid €5.5bn for Endemol, then owned by De Mol and Joop van den Ende. The trio outbid a rival offer by Stephane Courbit, the head of Endemol France, who is now expected to leave the company.

John de Mol indicated he considers the acquisition, through his investment vehicle Cirte, primarily as a strategic matter. But it is widely assumed he will try to become more actively involved.

De Mol’s spokesman stressed the Endemol purchase was "not connected" to the ongoing discussions about the future of De Mol’s ill-fated Dutch tv-channel Tien, part of Talpa Media.

Talpa is talking to RTL Nederland and SBS Broadcasting about some form of co-operation and might even sell off the channel. It is speculated that RTL has the better chance, since it is bigger in Europe than SBS, enabling De Mol to arrange more production deals for Endemol.