Cox, NBC Test Dynamic VoD AdsCox, NBC Test Dynamic VoD Ads

ATLANTA and NEW YORK -- Cox Media, the advertising services division of Cox Communications, Inc., and NBC Universal announced today that they recently launched a dynamic advertising trial. The trial is designed to test the value of inserting different advertisements into the same On DEMAND programs, allowing viewers to experience relevant ads regardless of when they watch.

Cox Media and NBC Universal are working closely with a large advertiser and the trial includes dynamic ad insertion on two leading NBC Universal programs: NBC’s The Office and USA Network’s Monk. Both series are available through Cox MyPrimetime®, the category in Cox's On DEMAND menu that provides access to hit network shows starting the day after they air. During the trial, up to four ads and/or promos in both programs are refreshed several times per week, including ads at the beginning of the program as well as ads within the program, known as interior breaks.

“Cox's extensive MyPrimetime and On DEMAND libraries allow viewers to watch the very best TV programs after original air dates at their convenience,” said David Porter, vice president of advertising product development, Cox Media. “The addition of dynamic ad replacement and impression reporting gives Cox MyPrimetime the richest available feature set for supporting advertising in VOD.”

Cox and NBC Universal have launched the trial in Phoenix, Ariz., one of Cox's largest markets. This follows a successful Cox technology trial earlier this year in Kansas that tested dynamic ad insertion with Cox-owned Travel Channel On DEMAND content.

"Delivering top-rated NBC Universal television programs over multiple platforms is a win for everyone," said Bradley Fleisher, senior vice president, TV Networks Distribution, NBC Universal. "Being able to effectively monetize On Demand content through collaboration with cable operators, programmers and advertisers makes that possible."

In addition to demonstrating the value of dynamic ads in On DEMAND programs, the trial is designed to explore the division of responsibilities, operational hand-offs and processes necessary to enable successful dynamic ad insertion. SCTE (Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers) standards for dynamic ad insertion were recently established and vendors have started delivering to those standards. The Cox/NBCU trial combines standards from both the broadcast and cable industries into a coordinated workflow. For the trial Avail-TVN, SeaChange International, and Texscan NT collaborated to support the end-to-end workflow required for dynamic ad insertion.

Cox Communications Inc.

NBC Universal