Syfy Channel Renews Contract

Online, March 17, 2011 (Newswire.com) - NBC Universal has decided to renew its contract for hosting the platform that delivers the websites for its 5 International Universal Network TV brands with leading hosting provider ServerSpace. These websites deliver an extended brand experience for their viewers around the world, enabling NBC to evolve its strategy of delivering a 360° brand experience and giving fans the opportunity to engage with their favourite shows and entertainment brands online.

The interactive websites complement its rebranded tastemaker channels Syfy Universal, Diva Universal, 13th Street Universal, Studio Universal and the Universal Channel, the websites consist of 30 sites in 18 territories in 14 languages. The sites are aimed at viewers around the globe and extend NBCs premium pay-TV brand offering online, giving audiences high-quality streamed video content, including episodes of key programming featured on the channel, behind-the-scenes footage, original content-inspired social gaming and exclusively produced web series. Using one unique central video delivery platform, the wholly localised content is available across Europe, Latin America, South Africa and Asia Pacific.

Jason Keane, VP Universal Networks interactive, NBC Universal International , said they chose ServerSpace for a number of reasons. " ServerSpace scored best on an RFP that ranked submissions across 3 broad criteria : Quality of Support, Flexibility and Value ".

"We were in a tight place when we were set to execute our go-to-market strategy due to tight deadlines. We were in the process of launching the Universal Networks international web platform and a hosting partner was needed to enable us to go live within 1 month. ServerSpace were the only provider able to meet those demands in such a short period ".

With regard to ServerSpace living up to their 'serious about support' claim, Keane said " their support is excellent, in that whenever there is a problem, there is always someone on the other end of the phone, our developers have established a great working relationship with the ServerSpace team and consider them a valued technical resource. We don't deal with a faceless call centre, but real individuals who understand our platform and needs ".

Over the course of 2010 the audience base has increased from 100,000 to 1,000,000 users per month and at every stage within that growth cycle the ServerSpace network has delivered capacity and uninterrupted user experience.

" I would not hesitate in recommending ServerSpace, in fact I have already done so for our Universal Playback brand online, which is powered by the same platform as the Univerdsal Network sites, which has also proved a great success for both companies " said Keane.

Jason Showell, head of Operations at ServerSpace said that " We are delighted that NBC have renewed the contract and look forward to continuing to provide them with the high quality support they have come to expect from us ".