Ian Valentine, the former Sky technical alliances director, is leading a management buyout of the SkyKeys internet sites service. Miniweb has purchased the assets and infrastructure of SkyKeys and will launch a new environment into the 8.5 million Sky households before the end of the year.
Valentine told Broadband TV News that Miniweb was looking to extend the service, both across other platforms in the UK, and internationally. The company is being privately funded, though BSkyB is retaining a 10% holding.
The Miniweb system allows broadcasters to display an on screen call to action known as a TV Key, which uses memorable words or brand names that translate into numeric codes for use with the TV Remote. The codes can also be displayed in newspaper advertisements and other printed collateral.
The standards based wTVML platform makes it possible for Web designers to create TV friendly sites at a significant reduction to using the Red Button and associated technologies.
Ian Valentine interview for premium subscribers in New Television Insider.
