BPL Broadcast announced the finalists in 15 categories for the inaugural ConnectedWorld.TV Awards. Judging was undertaken by an international panel of experts.

In association with the IBC Connected World, the ConnectedWorld.TV Awards celebrate the creativity of broadcasters, independent producers, technology companies and consumer electronics manufacturers pioneering the business of ‘content everywhere’. To be presented at a gala dinner at the Hotel Okura Amsterdam on Monday 12 September, the penultimate night of IBC2011, the Awards showcase the many exciting developments arising from the growing use of broadband internet – both fixed and mobile - as an alternative distribution channel for TV and video content.

More than 150 entries were received from organisations in 27 countries across Europe, Asia Pacific and the Americas. The scale of the entry has allowed some of the original categories to be sub-divided so that the achievements of more pioneering companies can be recognised.

“The response to these inaugural ConnectedWorld.TV Awards has been phenomenal,” said Neil Nixon, chairman of the judging panel and editor of ConnectedWorld.TV and IBE. “The range of submissions received gave a fascinating insight into the impact of the Connected World on the wider media industry.”

Content Awards
Entertainment, Sport & Local News Content Award

This Award recognises how the Connected World is creating opportunities to enrich the mainstays of linear TV schedules with supplementary information and interactivity and to provide new ways of serving niche audiences that are either very local or spread thinly across the globe.

The finalists (in alphabetical order):

• Accedo Broadband – Game Analyser App to complement coverage of Australian National Rugby League
• CJ HELOVISION – tving n-screen service from Korea
• Deutsche Telekom – Liga Total! Interactive IPTV football app
• France Télévisions and IBM – Interactive coverage of Roland Garros Tennis Tournament based on HBB TV
• Glastonbury Festivals Ltd – multi-media festival coverage co-produced with the BBC
• TV New Zealand– pioneering ‘U’ social TV concept

B2B & Advertising Content Award
For the exploitation of ‘content everywhere’ by businesses to engage directly and creatively with their key stakeholder groups.

• gIDE Institute – online & digital professional dental education
• GSM Association – Online TV service complementing a major international exhibition and conference
• Jyske Bank – web-based TV station launched by a Danish bank
• Sinnott Productions – Promotion that secured funding for a 14-part reality web-TV series
• Teletext Holidays – smart TV app enabling viewers to choose holidays
• WESTERNIZED Productions – Online video produced to raise awareness of Cisco’s long-standing relationship with US cable TV

Content Discovery Awards
Connected TV Application Award
For Connected TV applications that help viewers access content of interest or gain an TV enhanced experience.

• BBC Future Media – Updated version of the BBC iPlayer service
• BBC NEWS – BBC’s first globally available TV service
• Deutsche Telekom AG - Liga Total! Interactive IPTV football app
• France Télévisions and IBM - Interactive coverage of Roland Garros Tennis Tournament based on HBB TV
• Samsung Electronics – bespoke video on demand service
• Telecom Italia – Telco IP vide service with plans to go multi-platform
• TV5MONDE – international French-language TV channel

Portable Device Application Award
For the applications that transform mobile phones and other portable devices into multimedia devices or secondary screens for locating additional information related to broadcast TV.

• Axel Technologies – Fuugo application for personalised video streams
• CJ HELLOVISION – Tving app which allows users to view programmes on PC, tablets and smartphones
• Motorola – Social TV Companion Service
• Samsung Electronics – Smart View android tablet and smartphone app
• TV Genius – Brand engagement app for Freeview DTT service
• VPRO – described in the media as the “the Touchdoc: World’s first iPad documentary”

Search & Content Discovery Award*
For innovation in new search, content discovery and recommendation techniques.

• Digitalsmiths – multi-device personalised search
• Encoding.com – Vid.ly universal video URL platform
• Gracenote – Connected TV products that transform TVs and STBs into media hubs
• Gravity – IMPRESS recommendation solution
• Jinni – ‘taste & mood’ based video discovery engine
• TV Genius – social feature for content discovery platform

Connected Consumer Awards
Home Networking Award*
For advances in home networking that stimulate new viewing experiences and habits.

• AirTies – Air 4420 wireless video streaming media server
• ARRIS – ARRIS Whole Home Solution
• Bianor – iMediaShare
• Elgato Systems GmbH – EyeTV Netstream Sat
• IMAQLIQ – IMAQLIQ TV media centre
• Skifta – DNLA compliant connected home media streaming service.
• ZappoTV – Mobile Media Center

Consumer Experience Award*
For software, middleware or application developers, device and infrastructure suppliers who are improving the online video experience for users.

• 3view – Hybrid STB with Dual DVB T2 HD tuners
• EchoStar Europe – SlingLoaded HDS-600RS Freesat+ HD DVR
• Fusion Sheep – Software for viewing online TV on a connected TV
• HDI Dune – Dune HD TV 101
• Netgem – Negem N5000 platform deployed in Toshiba Multifunction Adaptor
• SnapKeys – SnapKeys 2i data entry system for connected TV, replacing full keyboards

Monetisation Awards
Revenue Generation Award*
For new techniques and concepts that help content producers and service providers create new revenue streams online.

• Artklikk Kft – fullXS system which makes live and VOD content available immediately
• Brilaps, LLC – Veedios cross-platform app generation tool
• justAd.TV – Cross-platform ad formats
• Pace PLC – Pace App CaféSmartclip – Universal Television Adserver Interface
• Snell – synchronisation of online/mobile apps with broadcast TV

Service Delivery Platform Award*
For service delivery platforms that provide online video service providers with their ability to create new propositions and differentiate in the market.

• Advanced Digital Broadcast – Connected TV Portal
• Amino Communications – Freedom Jump companion box for OTT distribution by cable & satellite operators
• Aspiro TV – white label mobile TV & VOD streaming application
• Coeno GmbH & co.kg / nacamar GmBH – OnTeVe white-label platform for social TV & video
• NDS – MediaHighway STB software platform
• Swisscom – Advertising-free delivery of live & on-demand video to smartphones and tablets
• thePlatform – mpx platform for publishing to PCs, mobile phones & TVs

Content Security Award*
For advances in content security.

• Irdeto – Active Cloak multi-device secure delivery solution
• NAGRA – Multiscreen cross-device solution
• NDS – Infinite TV Exchange – ITXg
• SecureMedia – Encryptonite ONE HLS+
• Viaccess – CA & DRM Content Security Solutions

Technology Awards
Production Tool Award*
For new production techniques and tools that take advantage of internet connectivity.

• AVIWEST – Digital Mobile News Gathering System
• Grass Valley – MediaFUSE system for the repackaging of content for multiple devices
• Reelway GmbH – Cloud-based Media Asset Management platform
• SatStream – EventStream for the live broadcast of events via the internet
• Streambox, Inc – Many-to-Many mobile video contribution & distribution service
• Teracue AG – Lightweight portable H264 HD-SDI Encoder

Building Block Award*
For innovative components, software, modules or sub-systems that will help shape the successful products and services of the future.

• ACCESS – Netfront Browser DTV Profile HbbTV Edition
• Civolution – VideoSync 2nd screen synchronisation
• Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) – Technical guidelines to promote interoperability between consumer electronic devices
• Movea – MoveTV motion-based user interfaces for connected TVs and STBs
• NAGRA – MediaPlayer solution
• Oregan Networks – Media browser

Content Delivery Technology Award*
For the new transmission technologies and techniques that will support the on-going explosive growth in internet video traffic.

• ARRIS – XD Access Module
• Broadpeak – Bk100 Mediator for “follow-me” OTT delivery
• QoE Systems, Inc. – ITU J.341 dd-compliant Q-Master 2 SW & System test system
• RGB Networks – Video Multiprocessing Gateway/Transact Packager
• Siemens Communications, Media and Technology – OTT TV suite for the distribution of HD content
• Vidiator – Xenon 6.0 streaming and encoding platform
• ZiXi – multimedia transport solution exploiting the cloud

Technology Breakthrough of the Year**
For the technologies, devices, service or applications that are expanding the ‘business of content everywhere’.

• Avid – InGame end-to-end video production solution for sports marketing organisations
• CJ HELLOVISION – Tving n-screen video distribution platform
• EchoStar Europe – SlingLoaded HDS-600RS Freesat+ HD DVR
• MobiTV – converged media platform
• Redefine – ipla end-to-end live & VOD platform
• Samsung Electronics – Samsung Smart Hub
• Streambox, Inc - Many-to-Many mobile video contribution & distribution service

ConnectedWorld.TV Broadcaster of the Year Award
Awarded to the broadcaster considered to have done most to advance the concept of 'content everywhere' by demonstrating a clear vision of how the Connected World can complement traditional broadcast distribution.

• BBC News (UK)
• CJ HELLOVISION (Korea)
• NHK World (Japan) –
• TV5MONDE (France)
• Visual unity (Czech Republic)

In addition to the 15 awards that organisations from around the world have entered, there will be three other awards that will be decided by a poll of professionals in the broadcasting and digital media sectors.

• Connected TV of the Year
• Portable Connected Device of the Year
• ConnectedWorld.TV Personality of the Year

Voting is now open at www.ConnectedWorld.TV and will close on Friday 26 August.