Buckeye CableSystem will be the deployment of interactive services through a beta test of Comcast Media Center’s HITS Advanced Interactive Services (AxIS) platform.
The Comcast Media Center (CMC) said today that interactive television (iTV) applications are being tested, launched and supported on Buckeye through its HITS AxIS service, which was first announced in May (story here).
“Buckeye CableSystem welcomes the opportunity to work with Comcast Media Center on a beta trial of the HITS AxIS service,” said Joe Jensen, EVP and CTO of Buckeye CableSystem. “We see this as an opportunity not only to understand the AxIS service better, but also to develop a further understanding of some of the ETV EBIF applications and their implications in our network.”
AxIS is a centralized platform that was designed to support advanced interactive application developers, while also facilitating the launch of these interactive services on cable systems that serve small- to mid-size markets. The platform supports interactive applications initially through the Enhanced Television-Binary Interchange Format (EBIF), and eventually with tru2way.
The CMC collaborated with Vidiom and TVWorks on the AxIS service, which also supports product development for other companies that are developing interactive applications, including NDS, Softel, Strategy & Technology, Unisoft, Alticast, Biap, Emuse, Ensequence, Sofia Digital, vivoTrak and Zodiac Interactive.
The CMC and Buckeye did not say what interactive applications were being tested, but in all likelihood the beta test includes products and services from some of the companies that signed on to work with AxIS.
“Buckeye CableSystem has always been a leader among the independent cable operator community,” stated Gary Traver, SVP and COO for the CMC. “We’re looking forward to working with the Buckeye team on paving the way for the launch and operation of ETV and iTV applications on cable systems across the country.”
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