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.