Virgin Media has purchased the Ark technology that has supported UK cable’s interactive services for the past six years. “Ark has been a fantastic interactive platform for us and it has become the lynchpin of Virgin Media’s interactive cable services, so it makes absolute sense that they take it on and develop it for their growing customer base,” said Two Way TV chief executive Jean de Fougerolles. It was the Ark Technology that kick started cable’s interactive effort after difficulties with the Liberate middleware. The purchase of the technology suggests that Liberate will remain in place for some time to come.
Two Way TV will now concentrate on its content efforts and has signed a long-term content deal with Virgin for its interactive gaming channels The Winner Channel and The Roulette Channel. Two Way is also looking to expand its content and formats business in the United States and Europe. In the last five months it has produced over 400 hours of programming for commercial broadcaster ITV.