comScore released its report on visitation and video viewership at entertainment news sites based on data from the comScore Media Metrix and comScore Video Metrix services. Nearly 55 million Americans visited an entertainment news site in May 2009, representing a 7-percent increase versus the previous year. Online video has also become an increasingly important channel for content in the category, with the number of videos viewed growing 53 percent in the past year.

Verismo Networks and NVALEO are bringing the future of business training and distance learning to today's living room. Powered by Verismo's award-winning Internet TV platform, the NVALEO Enrichment System offers training videos for personal and professional development, wealth creation, investing, entrepreneurship, marketing, and more.

Joost to focus on providing white label online video platforms for media companies, including cable and satellite providers, broadcasters and video aggregators. This technology and service offering will support content owners' efforts to build comprehensive branded environments online.

Those attending this year's 8th annual TelcoTV conference and exposition, and delegates at EXPO, NECA's signature training event in Orlando, Fla., get the opportunity to double up on their conference trip thanks to a partnership between NECA and TelcoTV 2009 show organizers. When registering for either event, delegates are offered the option to obtain a special rate day-pass to the other event's exposition floor, making the most of the fact that TelcoTV (November 10-12, 2009) and EXPO (November 8-12, 2009) are taking place concurrently and are conveniently located within a few minutes distance of each other in Orlando. This presents a significant opportunity to forge links between major carriers and rural communications providers, and for NECA members to explore the benefits of media, entertainment, and telecom convergence.

Despite the massive investments necessary in Asia/Pacific's IPTV market, both in technology and content procurement, telecom operators must invest to gain subscriber market share according to a new report from Pyramid Research, the telecom research arm of the Light Reading Communications Network.

UTStarcom named the leading IPTV provider in Asia in Multimedia Research Group's latest Global IPTV Market Leaders Report. The in-depth analysis tracks the top 100 IPTV vendors in 24 regional sub-segments. UTStarcom's strategic IPTV deployments and strong subscriber gains drove the company's rise to the top in the Access, VOD, Set-top-Boxes, Middleware and Content Protection categories.

KIT digital and Akamai have joined forces to deliver IP video across multiple mediums, including online, mobile networks and IPTV-enabled set-top boxes. The companies have signed a new strategic agreement that calls for them to build upon a long-standing vendor relationship and engage in collaborative sales and marketing efforts on a global basis. This is a unique initiative for both companies and reflects their shared vision for the future of the IP-video market.

CloverLeaf and Minerva Networks announce that Pineland Telephone Cooperative in Georgia and WT Services in Texas have launched CloverLeaf's interactive television services on IPTV systems supported on Minerva iTVManager middleware.

Corpus Christi residents now have a new choice for their television and communications services, powered by the most advanced technology. AT&T announces the launch of AT&T U-verse services in parts of Corpus Christi beginning Monday, June 29.

Truveo announced a major update to its website that makes it easier than ever to find video on the Web. The new site with localized versions available for 16 other countries. Truveo is the second largest video search engine worldwide, with 25.6 million unique visitors, and the second largest in the U.S., with 5.1 million unique visitors.

Adobe announces that leading Australian public broadcaster Special Broadcasting Service will stream the 96th annual Tour de France live online using Adobe Flash technology, the No. 1 platform for delivering video on the Web. Cycling fans throughout Australia will be able to watch the most prestigious and well-known bicycling event in the world. The race begins on July 4 and continues through July 27, 2009 with 21 stages, covering a total distance of 3,500 kilometers (2,200 miles).

Belgacom TV added 250,000 new customers since January 2008, representing an increase of 45 percent over 2007. The company’s success is driven by the implementation of an end-to-end IPTV platform from Nokia Siemens Networks that introduced HDTV, VoD, PVR and interactive services for both new and existing Belgacom TV subscribers.

NeuLion and Tennis Channel announce the launch of a new online video portal dedicated to Tennis Channel content. The portal, Tennis Channel TV, gives fans an opportunity to tune into their favorite multimedia content, live matches and on-demand programs online.

The network goes beyond the courtside seats to give viewers an all-access tournament pass, with inside looks, behind-the-scenes coverage and a never-before-seen television perspective.

Ericsson is bringing high-quality, interactive TV to viewers in Armenia through a deal with operator Ucom. Ericsson will deliver its IPTV solution including GPON technology in the first contract of its kind.

IPTV allows viewers to experience the same type of interactivity on their televisions as they are used to on their PCs, with personalized features such as chat, e-voting, web TV and access to social media networks. The IPTV solution for Ucom will also give viewers access to a flexible, customized portal that offers a wide range of broadcast channels, video on demand, an electronic program guide and personal video-recording capabilities.

Espial announces the release of the Espial MediaBase version 9.0 VOD platform. Building on proven capabilities serving millions of live IPTV and cable subscribers, Espial MediaBase 9.0 achieves breakthrough performance and extends support for cable operators.