Rallycast Debuts as the First On-Screen HDTV Fantasy Sports Social Experience and Partners with Best Buy for Distribution
Service Integrates Fantasy Sports from ESPN, CBS and Yahoo, Text Messaging & Facebook Status Updates on Internet-Connected HDTVs
NEWS RELEASE
Jeff AllenChief Executive Officer
650-766-6552
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Susanne EstradaVP Marketing
650-863-0902
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Jessica Hasson
Terpin Communications
323-710-3556
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rallycast’s line of TV Apps allow users to overlay personalized Internet content on their HDTV. Rallycast features a Toolbar menu system where users can access TV Apps for fantasy sports, check sports scores and stats, send text messages and post status updates on Facebook and write on friend’s walls. In the future, the company also plans to offer more TV Apps that feature Web 2.0 content from popular websites, expanded TV show content and home shopping.
With the Rallycast Fantasy Sports package – sold on the Rallycast website as well as Best Buy - sports fans will have, for the first time ever, the ability to access real-time fantasy scores and stats, make roster substitutions for their existing ESPN, Yahoo and CBS fantasy sports leagues or even talk smack with their friends—all on their HDTV. Rallycast TV Apps are overlaid within the television program the user is watching, so users never have to change the channel, connect their computer to the TV, or take a laptop into the living room. Users can see multiple TV Apps at the same time.
“Research has shown that nearly 90% of Fantasy Sports players watch sports on television with a laptop close at hand,” commented CEO Jeff Allen. “Our Rallycast product can supply these users and others with a
seamless integration of their online and offline worlds.”
Rallypoint and Best Buy are committed to educating consumers on the new capabilities of Internet-connected HDTVs and will use the in-store video network to display more information about the Rallycast product line. Additionally, in-store HDTV models will have the ability to demonstrate the fantasy sports and text messaging services provided by Rallycast.
Rallycast is built on the Yahoo TV Widgets platform. Consumers with compatible Internet-connected HDTVs* can download the Rallycast Toolbar from the Widget Gallery to gain access to the Rallycast free TV Apps or purchase the Rallycast Fantasy Sports TV App.
Once customers have purchased their Internet-connected HDTV, they are able to download the Rallycast Toolbar from the Widget Gallery and activate their TV Apps.
Rallycast's Fantasy Sports TV App, which allows sports fans to manage their fantasy teams from the comfort of their couch, retails for $59.99 per season, per sport, starting with the 2009 NFL season. The Fantasy Sports TV App will be available on http://www.bestbuy.com and in all 1000+ Best Buy stores across the United States starting September 6, 2009. Pre-orders are currently available at http://www.bestbuy.com. To find Rallycast at bestbuy.com, enter the term “rallycast” in the keyword search field.
With Rallycast, an Internet-connected HDTV and a remote control, consumers can personalize their TV viewing experience with these following initial offers from Rallycast TV Apps:
- Rallycast Toolbar (Free)—The ultimate HDTV Internet platform to search for and manage TV Apps from Rallypoint and its content partners.
- Rallycast Fantasy Sports Premium Package (Paid Subscription)—Control fantasy sports teams right on the television. Rallycast imports consumers' teams from major fantasy sites like Yahoo!, CBS and ESPN.
- Rallycast Scores (Free)—View multiple sports scores and stats, customizable to feature a user’s favorite teams.
- Rallycast Messenger (Free)—With Rallycast Messenger users can watch their favorite shows while chatting online with friends on Facebook or via Text Message.
*HDTVs Supported:
To deliver unprecedented functionality, Rallycast has partnered with major TV and DVD player manufacturers to give users the Internet in high definition. Current compatible HDTVs include:
- Samsung: Series 6, 7, and 8 HDTVs (HDTVs supporting “Internet@TV”)
- LG: LH50 and PS80 HDTVs (HDTVs supporting LG’s “Netcast Entertainment”)
- (Coming Soon) Vizio: XVT HDTVs. (HDTVs supporting Vizio Internet Apps VIA™)
About Rallypoint
Rallypoint is a leading software developer for Internet-connected HDTVs and other devices, focusing on TV widget engine core technology and applications. Rallypoint offers consumers an improved, easy-to-use
way to “mash up” their Internet content and subscriptions with broadcast television in an overlay fashion. By bringing the best of the Internet to HDTV, Rallypoint is redefining living room entertainment. Rallypoint is headquartered in San Francisco, California. For more information, visit www.rallypoint.tv and www.rallycast.com
For additional information, please contact Jessica Hasson at
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or 323-710-3556.
Rallypoint teams with Sharp to provide Fantasy Sports and Social Networking Services on Sharp AQUOS Net Televisions
NEWS RELEASE
Jeff Allen
Chief Executive Officer
650-766-6552
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Susanne Estrada
VP Marketing
650-863-0902
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rallypoint teams with Sharp to provide Fantasy Sports and Social Networking Services on Sharp AQUOS Net Televisions
San Francisco, Calif. –– January 7, 2009 –– Rallypoint Systems, Inc., the leading provider of software and services for internet-enabled HDTVs and interactive television, today announced it has teamed with Sharp Electronics Corporation to provide fantasy sports content and social networking features to Sharp AQUOS Net-connected TV’s.
AQUOS Net is a gateway, available through the Ethernet jack on select AQUOS televisions, to several unique services and Web-based content. Existing and new Sharp AQUOS Net customers will be able to activate Rallypoint services easily by pressing the “NET” button on their remote control starting in April 2009.
Consumers using Sharp’s AQUOS Net technology and Rallypoint services can personalize their experience by viewing their fantasy league information and communicating with fellow fans using the AQUOS television’s remote control.
Rallypoint will be the exclusive fantasy sports league partner for Sharp providing new widgets and updated player content as each sports season arrives, starting with fantasy league widgets for US professional baseball leagues in April 2009, and then professional and college football, basketball, racing, and soccer throughout the rest of 2009 and 2010.
“We are excited about serving the fantasy sports fan with the best possible experience on Sharp AQUOS Net connected TV’s,” said Jeff Allen, Rallypoint CEO. “With Rallypoint, over 20 million active fantasy sports users will be able to view their picks, review player stats, and make trades from their television simply and easily.
“Rallypoint’s sports and social networking approach will significantly enhance the viewing experience for sports fans on Sharp AQUOS Net televisions, and we can’t wait to see it in action,” said Bob Scaglione, senior vice president and group manager, Product and Marketing Group, Sharp Electronics Corporation.
Rallypoint and Sharp will co-market Rallypoint’s fantasy sports experience to consumers in the US. This new relationship supports the growth of Internet enabled TV’s.
About Rallypoint:
Rallypoint provides software and consumer services for Internet-enabled HDTVs and set-top boxes. Rallypoint licenses Internet content and develops social networking, voting, communication, shopping and sports applications, and is the exclusive provider of these services on a number of industry-sponsored platforms. Rallypoint also offers its own patent-pending “TV widget engine” system that will be shipped with leading HDTV chipset vendors starting in late 2009. Rallypoint is a member of the LCD-TV Association. Please visit www.rallypoint.tv for more information.
About Sharp Electronics Corporation:
Sharp Electronics Corporation is the U.S. subsidiary of Japan's Sharp Corporation, a worldwide developer of one-of-a-kind home entertainment products, appliances, networked multifunctional office solutions, solar energy solutions and mobile communication and information tools. Leading brands include AQUOS® Liquid Crystal Televisions, 1-Bit™ digital audio products, SharpVision® projection products, Insight® Microwave Drawer® appliances, Plasmacluster® air purifiers, and Notevision® multimedia projectors. For more information visit Sharp Electronics Corporation at www.sharpusa.com.
Rallypoint partners with Samsung to provide Fantasy Sports Widgets for Samsung HDTV’s
NEWS RELEASE
Jeff Allen
Chief Executive Officer
650-766-6552
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Susanne Estrada
VP Marketing
650-863-0902
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rallypoint partners with Samsung to provide Fantasy Sports Widgets for Samsung HDTV’s
San Francisco, Calif. –– January 7, 2009 –– Rallypoint Systems, Inc., the leading provider of software and services for Internet-enabled HDTV’s and interactive television, today announced a global partnership with Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, to provide a complete fantasy sports game experience for Samsung’s 2009 flat-panel HDTV lines supporting the new TV Widget service, called “Internet@TV - Content Service.
Rallypoint provides free and premium fantasy sports and social networking services to consumers. Rallypoint’s Internet-enabled TV services are co-marketed through television makers and retailers, and activated at the time the television is purchased or in consumer’s homes.
“There are over 20 million active fantasy sports players dying for the killer app on the television. Rallypoint allows them to view real-time sports updates, review player stats, and make player substitutions from their television simply and easily,” said David Adams, VP Business Development at Rallypoint. “Samsung’s Internet@TV - Content Service is an excellent way for these fans to watch and participate in the game at the same time without having to change the channel or use a clunky laptop.”
Dubbed The Ultimate Sports Fan experience, Rallypoint’s TV widgets service will provide detailed sports information, statistics, fantasy draft-style leagues, pick-‘em games, brackets, and other popular sports-related games to Samsung flat-panel HDTVs. Rallypoint will provide new widgets and updated player content as each sports season arrives, starting with fantasy league widgets for US professional baseball leagues in April 2009, and then football, baseball, basketball, racing, and soccer throughout 2009 and 2010.
"Sports fans purchase over 50% of new televisions so they can get a better sports viewing experience,” said Jeff Allen. “We expect fantasy sports applications to significantly drive demand for Internet-enabled TV's in 2009."
“Samsung recognizes that sports fans across the world want access to their favorite web content on their HDTVs,” said Kyungshik Lee, Vice President for Visual Display division at Samsung Electronics. “Our partnership with Rallypoint builds on Samsung’s continuing efforts to provide our consumers with a simply better HDTV experience through web based, on-demand content and services.”
This new relationship supports the growth of Internet enabled TV’s. According to The Diffusion Group, television makers are expected to ship over 100M Internet-enabled televisions in the next four years, a platform that is expected to far outpace the rollout of other types of interactive television platforms.
About Rallypoint: Rallypoint provides software and consumer services for Internet-enabled HDTVs and set-top boxes. Rallypoint licenses Internet content and develops social networking, voting, communication, shopping and sports applications, and is the exclusive provider of these services on a number of industry-sponsored platforms. Rallypoint also offers its own patent-pending “TV widget engine” system that will be shipped with leading HDTV chipset vendors starting in late 2009. Rallypoint is a member of the LCD-TV Association. Please visit www.rallypoint.tv for more information.
About Samsung Electronics: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2007 consolidated sales of US $105.0 billion. Employing approximately 150,000 people in 134 offices in 62 countries, the company consists of four main business units: Digital Media Business, LCD Business, Semiconductor Business, and Telecommunication Business. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.
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