Turner Broadcast System will become one of a growing list of companies that will provide video and programming for the Akimbo Video On Deman service.
Akimbo offers consumers a video-on-demand (VOD) service that is delivered to televisions via the Internet, in an easy “Queue and View(TM)” format. Akimbo subscribers can choose from thousands of hours of nearly unlimited kinds of programming to suit their individual interests, including select content from a number of Turner brands, such as CNN, CNNfn, Cartoon Network, TCM, Boomerang and Adult Swim.
“We are pleased to work with Akimbo and are looking forward to learning how consumers respond to this new subscription on-demand technology,” said Kevin Cohen, senior vice president and general manager, interactive/enhanced television for TBS, Inc.
The Akimbo Service presents new programs on a regular basis, providing unlimited access to thousands of hours of programs of interest to each Akimbo subscriber. Akimbo’s goal is to offer the broadest range of programming available for television in areas such as health and fitness, mainstream and independent film, sports, music, learning, comedy and drama series TV, youth, cooking, animation, and foreign language.
“Turner Broadcasting brings us a world-class package that includes the leading brand name in news, animation and movies. Akimbo subscribers will have on- demand access to everything from CNN news specials, to the latest animated series from Cartoon Networks’ Adult Swim programming block,” said Josh Goldman, chief executive officer of Akimbo. “Akimbo subscribers will love choosing from a broad range of favorite programs that they seldom get to watch at their own convenience. Viewing shows on demand from the comfort of the living room represents a big shift in the way people consume programming.”
To receive the Akimbo Service, consumers must have an Akimbo Player, a home network and a broadband-Internet connection in their homes. The Akimbo Service won’t tie up the computer and it won’t tie up bandwidth. The Akimbo Player is a set-top box that fits in any home entertainment environment and can store 200 hours of video. It is simple and intuitive to use via an on- screen guide and a customized remote control. Using the Akimbo Guide, viewers choose their programming, which automatically downloads to the Akimbo Player, ready for watching whenever the viewer chooses. Both the Akimbo Service and the Akimbo Player are available for pre-order at Akimbo’s Web site www.akimbo.com. The Akimbo Service is $9.99 per month. The Akimbo Service will begin in just weeks.
