Adding interactive television services such as i-Ads, gaming and other interactive applications can help boost revenue streams and viewer loyalty. The typical solution is a combination of elements, including the application itself, a content management system and an application playout system (or ‘carousel’).

MediaSphere is an integrated suite of Interactive TV playout solutions that provides a flexible system to reliably playout high volumes of content to multiple platforms. The latest generation of MediaSphere fully supports advanced interactive advertising and is widely deployed at prestigious broadcasters, operators and programmer head-ends. MediaSphere serves a variety of interactive application types, such as:

• iAd interactive advertising
• Promotion of on-screen purchases (for example subscription upgrades)
• Entertainment and games
• Interactive show guides
• Sports statistics and information
•  News and weather services
• Gameshow play-along applications
• On screen shopping (“t-commerce') for channels such as QVC™

MediaSphere is a scalable solution that reduces complexity and enhances customer reach with the flexibility to deliver parallel playout across multiple middleware formats, including MHEG, EBIF, tru2way^TM, OpenTV and MHP. MediaSphere also enables rapid application testing prior to deployment, reducing cost and time to market.

MediaSphere adds value and plays an integral part in all stages of content delivery from platform development, through playout, to managing live platform updates. The rounded MediaSphere solution can:

• simulate interactive applications
• verify interactive infrastructure
• drive advanced advertising and targeted advertising
• manage set-top box code downloads
• manage SSU downloads

Softel uses its extensive broadcast technology experience, as well as partnerships with leading suppliers of application development services and other infrastructure suppliers, to deliver seamlessly integrated and innovative iTV solutions.