HIRO helps TV firm to offer programme downloads

Edited by the Marketingservicestalk editorial team Oct 29, 2007

Reshet Television, Israel's leading TV station, and Hiro Media have announced the availability of free ad supported video downloads of Israel's favourite television shows.

Enabled by Hiro's patent-pending technology, Reshet.tv will allow users to download the entire library of ad-supported episodes of its popular programmes Shidurey Hamahapecha and Hayisra'elim.

"We have heard broadcasters around the world speaking about new ways to deliver shows directly to fans - but Hiro has enabled Reshet to be the first TV station in the world to turn this promise into a reality", said Menni Michaeli, Head of business development and interactive, Reshet.

"Hiro's innovative solution and solid business model means Reshet can allow its fans can go online, today, and download high-quality episodes of some of the country's most popular television shows - for free".

The new service allows users to download on to their computers, full length episodes that can be viewed at any time, whether the viewer is online or offline.

The shows can be watched an unlimited number of times and are not constrained by time limits or expiration dates.

Reshet is able to monetise the distribution of these programmes by using the Hiro technology to insert advertisements into the programmes just like traditional broadcast viewings.

The advertisements are protected from skipping and can not be stripped out of the content; this allows Reshet to offer the programmes online for free.

The programmes are supported by leading advertisers including Tnuva, Netvision, Wrigley and Ssangyong, who benefit from the measurement and accuracy provided by the Hiro system.

The technology also makes it possible for campaigns to be dynamically changed each time a viewer watches the show and offers the option to include time-sensitive or serialised ad campaigns and promotions.

The advertisements are sold by the interactive media network, Web.3.

Hiro's solution enables any content library owner to immediately begin distributing its programmes online, even if it does not have a consumer-facing site or an existing deal with a third-party distribution site, like iTunes.

Programmes can be legally distributed and shared by users through any peer-to-peer network or through social networks such as Facebook and Myspace - and still be monetised.

Users have the option of registering anonymous demographic information to choose what type of advertisements they see, allowing for more personalised, localised or relevant campaigns.

"Reshet has always been a leader in the television market and with this move they are continuing their leadership in the online sector," stated Ariel Napchi, Co-CEO and Co-Founder, Hiro Media.

"Hiro was created to allow broadcasters like Reshet to extend the reach of their programmes and to offer users more choices and free viewing options.

"Reshet is driving the digital entertainment revolution and opening up new opportunities for its programmes' fans".

Hiro's innovative video downloading and intelligent ad-insertion technologies create a truly viable business model for internet video distribution.

The Hiro system, which dynamically adds personalised, up-to-date, unskippable, in-show commercials into video downloads, allows content owners and distributors to effectively monetise video downloads while providing free entertainment for consumers.

Through a patent pending technology that protects the commercials as well as the content, distributors and owners are able to maintain control of their video revenues regardless of the download source.

Founded in 2004 in Tel Aviv, Israel, by Ronny Golan and Ariel Napchi, Hiro Media is a privately held company with commercial solutions launched in the UK, Israel and the USA.