Sky by broadband, Napster and LOVEFiLM join forces with Intel to bring on-demand entertainment to the home

Leading content providers bring new and exciting range of entertainment services into the living room with Intel Viiv technology

SWINDON, UK, Jan. 26 2006 - Intel Corporation today announced it has entered into arrangements with BSkyB (Sky), Napster and LOVEFiLM to bring digital entertainment to the home with the announcement of its new Intel  Viiv technology in the UK.

The introduction of Intel's new platform brings with it the promise of easy access to hours of the latest online digital content - from music, movies, TV and sporting shows to the latest games and family photos.

As the world of entertainment evolves, and the uptake of broadband grows, content providers are looking ahead to new technologies and services that can be tailored to address customer demands and offer more personalised services, allowing people an easy way to download and view digital media.

Sky, Napster and LOVEFiLM will provide entertainment content that lets viewers decide when and what they want to watch, through Intel Viiv technology-based PCs. Entertainment PCs based on Intel Viiv (rhymes with "five") technology(1) make it easier for people to view, manage and share digital entertainment and information in the home.

The range of services verified for the Intel Viiv platform include Sky by broadband, a recently launched service that allows millions of Sky digital viewers in the UK and Ireland to legally download and watch a range of movies and Sky Sports highlights through a broadband connection at no extra cost. The service has been developed to work with Intel Viiv technology-based PCs and currently offers over 1,000 sports clips and over 200 movies, including "Spider-Man 2" and "The Day After Tomorrow."

"Families' entertainment needs are changing fast and audiences increasingly expect to be able to access content whenever and wherever they want," said Richard Freudenstein, Sky's Chief Operating Officer. "The Sky digital subscription now includes the PC and we are giving millions of viewers the ability to download movies legally. Sky will use new technologies to stay ahead and give customers more choice and more value, highlighting why we are working with Intel to verify our Sky by Broadband service for Intel Viiv technology."

Napster has also verified its services for Intel Viiv technology, allowing subscribed members to access its world-leading digital musical library, with over 1.6 million tracks and more than 50 commercial-free radio stations. Accessing the Napster service on an Intel Viiv technology-based PC provides an incredible listening and viewing experience, with support for a minimum 5.1 surround sound, high quality graphics and allowing users to select and download songs while relaxing on the sofa, using a remote control2 with the '10-foot' living room TV viewing experience.

Intel is also working closely with LOVEFiLM.com, the UK's number one online DVD rental service, and a pioneer in the movie download, or video on demand market, to deliver content to UK customers through Intel Viiv technology-based PCs. The tailored movie download service combines major studio and independent film titles, including well known popular titles such as "Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone," "Alexander" and "Batman," through to more specialist and niche titles, which will be updated on a continuous base.

"The latest version of Napster offers our widest feature set yet including high quality streaming at 192 kbps, scores of pre-programmed playlists, compilations and radio stations, and videos, " said Leanne Sharman UK Vice President and General Manager. "By extending these features to the living room in 5.1 surround sound and integrating them on a single platform with content from Sky and LOVEFiLM, Intel has once more taken home entertainment to a new level."

"We are delighted to work with Intel to bring a selection of great movies to the new Intel Viiv technology-based PCs," said Mark Livingstone, C.E.O of LOVEFiLM. "This effectively means we bring our brand, our market leading experience in film delivery, and the best possible content to an exciting, new, innovative PC platform, making LOVEFiLM movie downloads accessible to a different audience."

"New services are changing the way entertainment is being delivered into the home, allowing people to watch what they want whenever they choose," said Steve Shakespeare, Intel UK Digital Home Director. "With the growth of broadband, PCs are entering the living room as the main entertainment hub, offering easy access to a wide range of blockbuster movies, sport and music. With the launch of the Intel Viiv platform, we are excited to be able to work so closely with leading UK content providers, Sky, Napster and LOVEFiLM to make digital entertainment effortless and enjoyable throughout the home for thousands of customers every day."

Intel Viiv Technology With Intel Viiv technology, families interact with their PC similar to the way they operate a television by using a single remote control(2). The platform includes the Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 operating system and media software allowing people to watch a movie or play a game while also downloading the latest music, all from one integrated system.

Intel Viiv platforms come in a choice of PC designs - including "all-in-one" hybrid PCs that look like televisions, thin consumer electronic and book-size form factors and tower desktop designs.

Each verified service, application and device will carry an identifier that reads, "Enjoy with Intel Viiv technology" to make them easier to find.

The platform has support for a minimum 5.1, and up to 7.1 surround-sound for home theater-quality audio, for high-definition video, and the ability to instantly turn the system on and off with the touch of a button (after initial boot, when activated). With an optional TV tuner card, families can also record, pause and rewind live TV programs, and store them on the hard drive for later viewing.

Many Intel Viiv technology models will be powered by the Intel(r) Pentium(r) D processor (formerly codenamed "Presler"), the new, dual-core processor for desktop PCs which can deliver increased performance for multitasking, multi-user and entertainment scenarios, including music downloads, photo and video editing and audio encoding.

Certain models of the Intel Viiv technology platform will include the newly launched Intel Core Duo processor (formerly codenamed "Yonah"), or the Pentium processor Extreme Edition.

About Sky by broadband
To register for Sky by broadband, Sky [premium subscription] customers need a home PC with Microsoft Windows XP and a minimum 1MB broadband connection. To access Sky By Broadband, eligible subscribers log on to http://www.skybybroadband.com and click on the sign-up button and follow the on-screen instructions to download the viewing application.

All Sky by broadband content is copy protected and encrypted. PIN parental controls are included in the movie download service allowing parents to PIN protect viewing of rated content.

About Napster
Napster, the biggest brand in digital music, is a subscription service that enables fans to freely sample the world's largest and most diverse online collection of music and move an unlimited amount of songs to compatible portable audio players. Napster (http://www.napster.com) members have access to songs from the major labels and hundreds of independents and have more ways to discover, share and acquire new music and old favorites with community features like the ability to email tracks to friends and browse other members' collections. Napster also offers Napster Light, a "lighter" version of the service for those who just want to purchase songs and albums a la carte. Napster is now available in the United States, Canada, Germany and the U.K. and is headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in New York, London, Frankfurt and Tokyo.

About LOVEFiLM
LOVEFiLM is Europe's largest online DVD rental service with over 50,000 titles available. Users are able to view the service through Microsoft Windows Media Player version 10, which also provides the necessary digital rights management system, security and anti-piracy control. The service is further enabled through LOVEFiLM's own unique technology platform, Hoffman.

About Intel
Intel, the world leader in silicon innovation, develops technologies, products, and initiatives to continually advance how people work and live. Additional information about Intel is available at http://www.intel.com/pressroom.

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Intel, the Intel logo, Centrino, Intel Core, Pentium and Intel Viiv are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.


(1) Home networking capability and many Intel Viiv technology-based usage models will require additional hardware devices, software or services. Functionality of Intel Viiv technology verified devices will vary; check product details for desired features. System and component performance and functionality will vary depending on your specific hardware and software configurations. See http://www.intel.com/go/viiv_info for more information.

(2) Remote control may be sold separately.