AOL Video Service Launched

Combining the powerful capabilities of the PC with the familiar face of TV, AOL and Intel Corporation today launched the AOL Video service for Intel Viiv technology-based PCs with a goal to create the ultimate on-demand entertainment experience. The joint effort delivers AOL Video’s leading online library of premium movies, full-length TV shows, music videos, concerts, sports videos, and more, as well the ability to easily search videos from the Web to Intel Viiv technology-based PCs. These videos can then be easily viewed on any large-screen television.

Much of the programming from the PC to TV screen is free to consumers with a large number of videos available in DVD quality via AOL’s Hi-Q format.

AOL Video is a one-stop, high-quality entertainment destination to find, watch and share millions of free streaming and pay-to-download video programs from across the Web, broadcast and cable television, and entertainment. Features include:

• More than 45 channels of on-demand video programming featuring original, licensed and branded content.
• Downloadable movies from major studios - from recent DVD releases to a large selection of movies representing all genres - available for sale.
• AOL’s extensive video search index containing millions of videos from across the Web.

AOL and Intel have developed an innovative user interface which helps a consumer decide whether they want to search the entire video library, browse a video category, or take advantage of AOL’s recommended viewing list. All of this can be done easily with a remote control.

“The Internet has truly changed the way consumers enjoy a wide variety of content - they want to experience it anytime, anywhere, on-demand,” said Kevin Conroy, Executive Vice President, AOL. “We are very excited to launch our 10-foot AOL Video service with Intel and make what we believe to be the best online video experience on the Web available to consumers on the next generation of PCs and TVs.”

“Today marks a key milestone in the evolution of Web-based video and digital convergence. AOL Video on Intel Viiv technology-based PCs combines the best premium Web video experience with the best media PC platform to deliver a whole new experience that will forever change how consumers use their TVs,” said Kevin Corbett, vice president of Intel’s Digital Home Group and general manager of the company’s Content Services Group. “We are excited to announce that AOL and Intel have created this experience to help consumers easily find premium movies, TV programs and the best of the Web on their TVs using a remote control from the comfort of their living rooms.”

Other AOL services available on Intel Viiv technology-based PCs include AOL Radio, featuring XM* Satellite Radio with 250+ stations; and AOL Pictures, a free online digital photo service. Additional AOL services are also planned to become available soon, including AOL Music Now, AOL’s next generation, web-based digital music store and subscription service.

In conjunction with the launch of the AOL Video 10-foot experience, AOL’s new Digital Lifestyle Web site  http://digital-lifestyle.aol.com) is designed to educate consumers about digital media consumption in the home and on the go for devices and technology platforms related to video, music, photos and home networking. The Digital Lifestyle Web site features articles and video clips from leading consumer technology experts, free instructor-led online classes, buying guides for technology products and other information resources.

The site also features a first-of-its-kind multimedia blog sponsored by Intel called “My Plugged In Life,” which combines text, audio and video entries to provide a platform for user-generated content. The Digital Lifestyle Web site provides an informational and educational resource where consumers can learn more about the benefits of Intel Viiv technology-based PCs for digital entertainment.

To see the new AOL Video 10-foot experience in action, consumers in New York City can visit the “AOL Experience” at CompUSA (420 5th Avenue, New York). The AOL Experience is centered around the Intel Digital Living Room, where consumers can speak with product experts and see first-hand how to leverage the power of AOL Video and Intel Viiv technology to enjoy on-demand entertainment in a living room setting.

In related news, AOL also announced today the launch of its new open developer initiative for AOL Video Search. Through a new set of open APIs and tools, developers can incorporate results from AOL Video Search into third-party applications and Web sites. The new tools also enable content owners to easily submit video feeds to the AOL Video Search index, making their content discoverable in real-time across the entire AOL Video Search network.