STOCKHOLM -- Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) today announced that it has been selected by Singapore's MediaCorp to enable and manage MediaCorp's new service via broadband connection, "Interactive TV" to consumers. The contract is Ericsson's first managed services deal with a media company in Asia and includes a broad range of Ericsson TV solutions that enable consumers to watch their video content at any time, anywhere, on a wide variety of devices.

MediaCorp is Singapore's foremost media organization with seven television channels, 13 radio stations, as well as newspapers, magazines, movies, digital and out-of-home media. Its TV viewers comprise 99% of the Singapore market and its Channel NewsAsia International, one of the first Asian-owned English news channels, has a pan-regional outreach.

On-demand and over-the-top TV solutions continue to grow in importance for media owners and broadcasters as consumer viewing habits change, creating desire for watching TV anywhere, at any time, on any device. In line with MediaCorp's strategy, this deal supports a diversification of their business and helps build direct, interactive relationships with consumers. Ericsson will supply, integrate, manage and operate the complete end-to-end technical solution over a five-year period.

Mr Shaun Seow, CEO, MediaCorp says: "MediaCorp is pleased to have Ericsson as our solutions provider and partner, as we embark on this very important and strategic initiative. Together, we are confident in providing an unprecedented interactivity and innovation, by offering a suite of exciting services on multiple platforms to our local consumers. We will set the future direction of interactive TV in Singapore by riding on the next generation national broadband network, and herald a new era of TV experience."

The products and solutions included in the scope are Ericsson's OpenStream Digital Services Platform, WatchPoint Content Management System, Ericsson's TV Portal, Ericsson's iPlex Video Processing Platform, DRM and Automated Playback solutions. Ericsson will also provide and manage the billing and subscriber management system, as well as its AdPoint advertising management platform.

"This is a complete end-to-end solution featuring robust and flexible workflow automation of encoding, encrypting, publishing and delivering interactive, on-demand content and application that be accessed by any subscribers with a broadband connection," says Fadi Pharaon, head of Ericsson in Singapore. "Ericsson will design, integrate and operate a customized solution for MediaCorp based on its portfolio of products, which will allow consumers to access content via specific set-top boxes, connected TVs, tablets, personal computers and mobile devices."

Ericsson AB (Nasdaq: ERIC)