Gracenote Smart TV Technologies Embraced by Leading CE Manufacturers in Europe

- Gracenote eyeQ Featured in TVs and Mobile Apps at IBC 2012

AMSTERDAM, Sept. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- IBC 2012 -- Gracenote® Smart TV technologies continue to be embraced by leading TV manufacturers in Europe.  At IBC 2012, Gracenote will demonstrate the latest Smart TV lines from Philips, Loewe and Sony featuring Gracenote eyeQ™, which delivers the most comprehensive European television channel and TV program information available today. Gracenote is also demonstrating mobile applications that use Gracenote TV program information and imagery to drive and enhance the TV viewing and navigation experience. 

Gracenote eyeQ is a global Interactive Program Guide (IPG) solution that transforms Smart TVs into media hubs where viewers can easily browse TV schedules for local and national broadcasts, as well as VOD and streaming content. Going beyond a typical channel guide, Gracenote eyeQ offers advanced search and discovery capabilities to enhance the TV viewing experience through program recommendations and links to related content.

"The concept of TV viewing is constantly being redefined by new technology, taking audiences way beyond the basic experience of sitting in a chair and letting entertainment happen," said Andreas Lakeberg, vice president and general manager of Gracenote Europe.  "Gracenote eyeQ lets TV manufacturers create more engaging and interactive experiences, while providing ways for viewers to identify, discover and connect with more of the movies and TV programming they love."

2012 Sony and Philips Smart TVs

By featuring Gracenote eyeQ in their Smart TV platforms, Philips and Sony give viewers a way to easily find and access content from both broadcast and on-demand/streaming sources.

• Sony Smart TVs: Gracenote eyeQ lets Sony Smart TV viewers browse program schedules, review cast and crews filmographies and find related content.
• Philips Smart TVs: Gracenote eyeQ provides smart program recommendations and a "home screen" where Philips Smart TV viewers can easily find and access content from both broadcast and Philips NetTV streaming sources.

Sony Watch Now App – A "Visual Guide" for TV Programming

Launched last week at IFA 2012, the Sony Watch Now App featured in the new Sony Xperia Tablet S connects TV viewers with live programming schedules using Gracenote eyeQ

• Simple, Intuitive Interface: Instead of browsing a traditional IPG grid, Watch Now combines Gracenote eyeQ TV program information with movie artwork and TV program images to create a visual snapshot of what's currently on TV.
• Share Your TV Experience: Watch Now taps into social networks to provide program recommendations, and lets Xperia Tablet S users share what they are watching with friends across Facebook, Twitter and Get Glue.

Sony TrackID and Music Unlimited for BRAVIA TVs

Ever heard a great song during a movie or TV show, but didn't know the name of the artist or band? With Sony's 2012 BRAVIA TVs featuring Sony TrackID™, viewers can simply push a button on their remote to identify any song playing during a TV program, movie or even commercial, and link directly to that song using the Sony Music Unlimited service. 

• Name that Tune: Sony TrackID uses Gracenote advanced audio fingerprinting technology to identify music from movies, TV programs and even commercials.
• Artist Information: After identifying the song, Gracenote delivers song and artist details and official Album Cover Art, as well as direct links to songs and artists in Sony's Music Unlimited service.

Loewe Assist Media iPad App

As part of a second-screen offering, Loewe introduced the Assist Media iPad App last year at IFA. It lets TV viewers interact with and control their Loewe TV using a program guide powered by Gracenote eyeQ.

• TV Sync: Through a WiFi connection, the Loewe iPad App syncs with the Loewe TV, allowing viewers to interact with TV program information and schedules powered by Gracenote.
• Smart & Simple: Makes finding TV programs and movies easy through an intuitive user interface, designed by Loewe, which filters channels and programs from hundreds of choices.

Gracenote eyeQ at IBC 2012

Gracenote's portfolio of Smart TV technologies, including Gracenote eyeQ, Gracenote Entourage™ and Gracenote MusicID®, will be demonstrated at IBC 2012 in Hall 14, Stand 14.366. For more information or to schedule a demo and briefing at the show, please contact Daniel Couzins at +44 (0) 20 7437 0227 or danielc@onechocolatecomms.co.uk.

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 and television networks. 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, follow us at @GracenoteTweets and www.facebook.com/PoweredbyGracenote.

Gracenote, Gracenote eyeQ and MusicID are either trademarks or 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

Daniel Couzens
OneChocolate (for Gravity Mobile in the UK)
T: +44(0)20-7437-0227
M: +44(0)7971-593-907
danielc@onechocolatecomms.co.uk