The9, ZTE Form Interactive TV VAS Venture
Netease Tech, 12/12/12
Chinese online game developer and operator The9 (Nasdaq: NCTY) and telecom equipment and terminal manufacturer ZTE (0763.HK; 000063.SZ) today announced a strategic partnership to establish a joint venture, ZTE-The9 Network Technology, constructing a TV value-added services (VAS) demonstration base in Wuxi aimed at developing domestic interactive TV value-added services.
Zhao Jinyi, GM of the new joint venture, said the partnership will focus on VAS content integration services, operations of animation and gaming content-related products, home network terminal R&D, and sales of VAS platform software. The company plans to offer integrated products and terminals for online, mobile, and TV VAS within 2-3 years, penetrating over 90% of interactive TV households.
Since 2008, The9 has partnered on gaming platforms and services with China Unicom (NYSE: CHU; 0762.HK; 600050.SH) and China Telecom (NYSE: CHA; 0728.HK) branches in 17 provinces, with gaming channels covering 95% of China's IPTV users and total registered users exceeding 10 mln. The9 has also partnered with 11 cable TV operators including Jiangsu Broadcasting Cable Information Network, Beijing-based Gehua CATV Network (600037.SH), and Hunan TV & Broadcast Intermediary (000917.SZ), as well as cooperating with Disney and other brands. The9's gaming platform currently offers over 200 interactive TV games.
Editor's Note: For more background on this topic, please see "The9, Gehua to Jointly Launch HD Cable DTV Gaming Platform" MD 7/17/12 issue, "The9 Licenses Disney Characters for Interactive TV Games" MD 2/17/11issue and "The9 Wins to Operate Shanghai IPTV Gaming Channel" MD 6/05/08 issue.
Keywords: ZTE-The9 Zhao Jinyi The9 IPTV telecom television 000063.SZ 0763.HK ZTE cable TV NCTY VAS Wuxi online gaming JV
Sending
