NBCU becomes first International CES broadcast partner

Steve Safran October 5th, 2007

NBC Universal will be at the 2008 International CES not just as an exhibitor but also as a broadcaster. According to a Businesswire press release, NBCU broadcast and cable channels are going to be live from the International CES floor at various times, cover the happenings. NBCU will also have an interactive exhibition there. This is the first time the International CES has had an official broadcast partner. The International CES will be in Las Vegas from January 7 - 10, 2008. Here’s the press release:

Content and the Latest Technologies Connect at the 2008 International CES

NBC Universal to Serve as CES’ First Official Broadcast Partner and Showcase Multi-Platform Content

2008 International CES

ARLINGTON, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–New content developments from major players in the entertainment industry will connect with the latest distribution platforms at the 2008 International CES®, making CES the global hub for all that’s new in digital entertainment. The 2008 International CES, the world’s largest tradeshow for consumer technology, returns to Las Vegas, January 7-10, 2008.

As CES’ first-ever “Official Broadcast Partner,” select NBC Universal broadcast and cable entities will be broadcasting live from the CES exhibition floor, covering the many exciting product debuts and special events. In addition, NBC Universal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies, will debut an interactive and multi-faceted show floor exhibition at CES, highlighting the wide range of digital programming produced by its television, cable and motion picture properties.

“The collaborative relationship between consumer technology and the content industry remains stronger than ever, as consumers crave their content and entertainment across multiple platforms, whether it’s in the living room, in the car or on the go,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO for the Consumer Electronics Association®, owner and producer of the International CES. “With major content exhibitors, a keynote address from Comcast’s Brian Roberts, Digital Hollywood and dozens of other educational conference sessions and several exciting content attractions, the 2008 International CES is the year’s must-attend event for Hollywood and the content community.”

“For over eighty years, NBC Universal’s powerful storytelling has drawn consumers to the latest and greatest technologies and devices, from radio to television and cable to broadband and mobile,” said Beth Comstock, President, NBC Universal Integrated Media. “We are proud to serve as the first-ever broadcast partner for the International CES, the world’s premier consumer technology tradeshow, allowing us to showcase how powerful the partnership between quality content and consumer electronics can be.”

Also at the 2008 CES, the Technology & Engineering Emmy Awards will take place for the second year, honoring achievements in two areas: Science & Technology for Television, which includes broadcast, cable and satellite distribution and Advanced Media Technology, which includes interactive television, gaming technology, the Internet, cell phones, private networks and personal media players.

“It has never been more clear that exploding demand for high quality content, of all kinds, on all platforms, is a key factor driving the unprecedented growth in consumer electronics today,” said Mark Lukasiewicz, Vice President of Digital Media for NBC News and one of NBCU’s project leaders at CES. “Our presence on the CES show floor this year gives us a unique opportunity to show the CE industry the rich content that NBCU has to offer worldwide, and to cover this pivotal industry event for consumer and business audiences on all our platforms.”

This year’s International CES will house more than 175 conference sessions, including various sessions focused on the content and entertainment industry. CES attendees will hear from top industry professionals on emerging trends focused on the latest developments in the content market.

Conference sessions with a focus on content and entertainment include:

Hollywood and the Digital Consumer: How Technology, Content and Services Establish the Next Level of Consumer Entertainment Experience – Part of the Digital Hollywood Partner Program, attendees will learn about the entertainment industry’s next “golden age” of production, and gain insight into how the industry is anticipating and responding to consumer needs in an on-demand, fully integrated world of television, film and gaming.

All Video All the Time: Broadband, IPTV, DVD and Mobile – In this Digital Hollywood session, attendees will hear predictions from industry experts on the future of IP delivery and its impact on the film industry.

Movies, TV and Video for Mobile: Original Entertainment & Information Programming Jump-Starts the Revolution – As consumers worldwide begin tuning into a mobile video universe, attendees will learn about the challenges facing the transformation of the communications world.

For more news on the 2008 International CES before, during and after the show, including information on CES exhibitors, conference sessions and TechZones, visit www.CESweb.org.