Gracenote Opens European Development Center with the Acquisition of tvtv Services

BERLIN, September 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Gracenote makes a broad commitment to digital media research and development in Europe and strengthens its Smart TV technology offerings

Gracenote®, GmbH today announced it has opened a European Development Center in Munich following the acquisition of German-based tvtv Services, the leading Electronic Programming Guide (EPG) and Smart TV service provider in Europe.  Formerly a branch of Sony United Kingdom Ltd., tvtv has been integrated into Gracenote to enable Gracenote to expand its portfolio of products and technology to Smart TV manufacturers, cable operators and broadcasters.

Since 1999, tvtv has powered its award-winning EPG and connected TV service in Europe, and has led the industry with its advanced programming guides, keyword search, collaborative recommendations and smart channel guides. With the acquisition of tvtv, Gracenote will now offer the most comprehensive set of European television channel and program listings as part of its Gracenote eyeQ™ Interactive Program Guide technology, which was also announced today at IFA 2011 in Berlin.

"tvtv Services is the preeminent Smart TV service in Europe, and its integration into Gracenote positions us perfectly to expand our portfolio of Smart TV technologies to deliver greater value and innovation to our partners and customers than any other provider in the industry," said Stephen White, president of Gracenote.

Gracenote's European Development Center extends the reach of Gracenote's R&D team to the European region. Existing tvtv customers and partners will continue to receive the excellent service and support that they have been accustomed to over the years, while benefiting from the combined engineering, R&D and product development talent of both companies.  

In addition, Gracenote, GmbH will establish a new Professional Services team to serve customers in the European region with design, porting, implementation, development, optimization and consultative services.

Gracenote at IFA 2011

Gracenote eyeQ will be demonstrated at IFA 2011 in the International Meeting Area, Hall 7.2A in Room 102A. In addition, Gracenote eyeQ will be shown in the Loewe Hall 6.2, Booth 21.  Loewe will be demonstrating iPad and Android Apps that allow TV viewers to interact with their TV set using a Gracenote-powered channel guides, as well as demonstrating Gracenote's MusicID® product in its new SoundVision Audio System.  For more information or to schedule a demo and briefing at the show, please contact Veronica Skelton at 415.342.3435 or vskelton@gracenote.com.

About Gracenote

A pioneer in digital media, Gracenote, Inc. provides music and video content and technologies to the world's hottest entertainment products and brands. The company's partners in the entertainment community include major music publishers and labels, prominent independents and movie studios.  A wholly owned, independent subsidiary of the Sony Corporation of America (SCA), Gracenote has offices in Tokyo, Munich, Berlin, Seoul and Taipei with worldwide headquarters in Emeryville, California.  For more information visit http://www.gracenote.com.

Gracenote and MusicID are registered trademarks of Gracenote, Inc. All other names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

For More Information Contact:
Veronica Skelton
Concept PR for Gracenote
+1-415-342-3435
vskelton@gracenote.com

Billy Burnett
Onechocolate Communications for Gracenote
+44-(0)20-7437-0227
billyb@onechocolatecomms.co.uk