zeebox Extends Industry Momentum; Forms Strategic Partnership With Viacom

Just days after successful U.S. launch, zeebox inks significant agreement, further enhancing its industry platform for TV viewing experiences

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--zeebox, the premier TV viewing companion, today announced that Viacom has signed on as a strategic partner, joining Comcast Cable, NBCUniversal, HBO & Cinemax in backing the universal, cross-channel TV viewing companion app for iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Android, and the Web.

“Viacom has the most socially engaged audiences anywhere, and we’re constantly striving to give our fans new ways to discover and connect with our content”

“zeebox was built as an open platform that programmers and operators can easily use to enhance their brands on the second-screen, engage with fans and build new ways to bring the TV and Internet advertising industries together,” said Ernesto Schmitt, zeebox CEO and co-founder. “The most engaging, compelling consumer experience on the second screen will be driven by the depth of content and the degree of integration with established TV brands – for this reason we’re delighted to be working with Viacom and its world class entertainment brands.”

“Viacom has the most socially engaged audiences anywhere, and we’re constantly striving to give our fans new ways to discover and connect with our content,” said Rich Eigendorff, Chief Operating Officer Viacom Media Networks. “zeebox is a powerful new platform to create even richer and more interactive experiences around our programming, and build an even deeper connection between our brands and our fans.”

The brainchild of former EMI executive Ernesto Schmitt and former BBC iPlayer CTO Anthony Rose, zeebox uniquely enables consumers to discover what to watch by browsing comprehensive TV listings, social media and personalized recommendations. Viewers can engage with their favorite television personalities directly through zeebox and even buy the products they see on TV. zeebox also automatically displays richer information about each program as viewers are watching.

Like Comcast Cable and NBCUniversal, Viacom is backing zeebox with investments and promotional commitments, while preparing to enhance their top TV shows on zeebox. zeebox’s OpenBox API is designed to enable any TV network to enhance its shows on zeebox, distribute exclusive content, and connect directly with fans whilst enabling them to continue using their favorite social media, such as Twitter.

zeebox’s revolutionary OpenBox API allows content owners to enhance their shows and channels on the zeebox app in a matter of hours, distributing exclusive content to consumers, connecting directly with fans through live interactions and social engagement, and monetizing the second screen alongside TV commercials through synchronized, targeted, relevant advertising and affiliate links.

The zeebox app is available for free from the App Store on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch or at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/zeebox/id513267737?ls=1&mt=8, garnering hugely positive reviews since launch.

The Web version is available at zeebox.com.

About zeebox

zeebox is the new, social, interactive and immersive way to watch TV. It turns your smartphone, tablet or laptop into an interactive companion that enables consumers to engage with friends around TV shows, to buy what they see on screen, to remote control their TV, and to get more information about whatever programme they’re watching including access to exclusive interactive content. By partnering with zeebox, broadcasters and content owners can augment their TV shows on the second screen, engage interactively with fans, and monetise this new medium in synch with live TV. zeebox was founded in 2011 by former iPlayer CTO Anthony Rose and EMI executive Ernesto Schmitt. The company is based in London and New York and is expanding rapidly into other countries.

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About Viacom

Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA and VIAB) is home to the world's premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms in over 160 countries and territories. With more than 160 media networks reaching approximately 700 million global subscribers, Viacom's leading brands include MTV, VH1, CMT, Logo, BET, CENTRIC, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., TeenNick, Nicktoons, Nick at Nite, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV Land, SPIKE and Tr3s. Paramount Pictures, celebrating its 100^th year in 2012 and creator of many of the most beloved motion pictures, continues today as a major global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment. Viacom operates a large portfolio of branded digital media experiences, including many of the world's most popular properties for entertainment, community and casual online gaming.

For more information about Viacom and its businesses, visit www.viacom.com. Keep up with Viacom news by following Viacom's blog at blog.viacom.com and Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/Viacom.