SearchEngineUpdate with Vanessa Zamora - 07-29-2008 Part II
Abstract: 1. BT Acquires Ribbit For $105 Million, 2. TV Viewers Shift Online: Survey
Vanessa Zamora
Video Content Producer, SearchEngineWorld
10:30 pm on July 29, 2008 (utc 0)
Transcript
Tuesday July 29, 2008
BT Acquires Ribbit For $105 Million
British Telecommunications has acquired Internet telephony company Ribbit for $105 million in cash as part of a move from closed networks to more open software platforms, and part of BT's transformation from a telco to a platform-based, software-driven services company. Ribbit’s technology provides the ability to merge communication capabilities over mobile phones, landline, desktop applications and internet applications. The acquisition will enable BT to capitalize on Ribbit’s open platform, allowing developers to create internet telephony applications and services. Ribbit, which was formed in February 2006, will retain its name and management team as it becomes part of BT, integrating Ribbit with its 21CN network.
According to a survey conducted by Integrated Media Measurement Incorporated, a fifth of US television viewers, especially professional women aged 25 to 44 are opting to watch their primetime programs online, replacing the television as a source for viewing. According to IMMI, 50 percent of Web TV viewers are using the Internet as a substitution, while the other 50 are using it as a supplement. The findings are significant because it marks the first time a considerable amount of people are watching primetime shows exclusively online. In related news, football fans will this season be able to catch Sunday Night Football on the web under a one year agreement signed by NBC and the NFL to stream online the complete "Sunday Night Football" season, marking the first time a complete NFL game has ever been available on the Web in the United States
