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April 23, 2007 04:50 PM

Categories: News, Rumors and Gossip

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MegaZone

  Sling Media
Joined: 03/02/2007

This should probably be under News on the main page, but I don't know how to submit news stories. :-) I got this from PR Newswire


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/

-MegaZone, Sling Media Beta Manager
Slingbox Pro, HD Connect, TiVo Series3, TiVo Pioneer DVR-810H, SPM Treo 680, SP WinXP
(I also run GizmoLovers.com)

Discussion:    Add a Comment | Comments 1-4 of 4 | Latest Comment

April 23, 2007 5:13 PM

It is on the main page under "Sling In The News". http://www.slingcommunity.com/blog/13...

Slinging Tivo Series 2, Tivo HD, and TW cable from a Pro. Slinging Tivo HD from a Solo, Slinging Humax DRT800, and TW cable from a Classic to Sprint Mogul, AT&T SX66, N62, 8525, and Dell Inspiron 8600 with Sprint EVDO over Windstream DSL.

April 23, 2007 5:24 PM

Hmm, I guess I interpreted them as two different things - the first article makes it sound like a way to deal with broadband services, which made me think of DSL or cable modem issues. The press release today sounded more like a way to buy digital content.

What's the real scoop - You out there Zatz? ;-) What exactly is GCi going to enable in SlingPlayer - shopping for connectivity services? Buying 3rd party digital content? Both?

-MegaZone, Sling Media Beta Manager
Slingbox Pro, HD Connect, TiVo Series3, TiVo Pioneer DVR-810H, SPM Treo 680, SP WinXP
(I also run GizmoLovers.com)

April 23, 2007 5:35 PM

I reported on this before GCi issued a press release, so details were a little sketchier.

From the information I (and CNET) obtained, the GCi partnership is about digital services like broadband internet, and "premium content" like satellite and digital cable services. I didn't get any indication that this would involve things like buying shows or anything similar, and Zatz didn't mention anything like that to me in our conversation.

Mind Over Matt'er - Technology musings, opinion, and more straight from TechLore's head geek.

April 23, 2007 7:59 PM

Meh, I scooped all of ya here on SC.  Wink

Her article did say:
"Customers can use the SlingPlayer interface, and GCi's software will be able to tell in real time the upgraded services and prices available to each individual home, based on address, credit score and existing services. "

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Discussion:    Add a Comment | Comments 1-4 of 4 | Latest Comment

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