Wave Systems Corp.’s (Nasdaq: WAVX) majority-owned subsidiary, Wavexpress, provides broadband media technology and services. The company offers HD-quality video, games, music and software. The company today announced it has been selected to join NBC Universal Inc. for an opportunity that will provide the company with ultimate exposure to a wide customer base.
According to NBC Olympics, approximately 203 million viewers watched the 1,210 hours of 2004 Olympic coverage from Athens. According to the International Olympic Committee, more than 3.2 billion people worldwide watched the 2006 Winter Olympics.
Wavexpress’ agreement with NBC Universal will allow it to cater to those individuals unable to view the upcoming Olympic Games on television. Wavepress will develop, host and support the “NBC Olympics on the Go” for viewing NBC’s coverage of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in Microsoft’s Windows Vista Media Center. As the name suggests, the service will allow Media Center users to view the upcoming Olympics on their laptops, free of charge.
“This service will provide a fantastic viewing experience for Olympic fans with Windows Vista Media Center,” Michael Sprague, president of Wavexpress state in the press release. “They can choose their favorite sports, from diving to water polo to gymnastics, and extended coverage is automatically synchronized to their PC in the middle of the night. With a laptop, they will get a high-quality video experience to view on the train, the plane, or in the college quad.”
NBC Universal will air an unprecedented 3,600 hours of coverage of the Olympic Games from August 8-24, 2008. Media Center users can choose the events they want to watch by signing up for channels designated for each event.
“As we prepare to broadcast the Beijing Olympic Games, we are committed to reaching as many viewers as possible,” Perkins Miller, senior vice president of digital media for NBC Sports and Olympics stated. “Our partnership with Wavexpress will enable us to reach viewers seeking high-quality in-depth coverage of the wide range of sports that make up the Olympics. The service will especially appeal to fast-paced fans who want to catch up on their favorite sports offline.”
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