Akimbo Hits the Big Leagues with Major League Baseball Advanced Media

**Sean Mota** · 08-23-2005 10:52 AM

Akimbo Hits the Big Leagues with Major League Baseball Advanced Media
Current Season Condensed Games and Highlights, plus Full Replays of Historic Classic Games to Be Available for On-Demand Download Viewing on TV
SAN MATEO, Calif., — Aug. 22, 2005 — Akimbo™ Systems announced today that Major League Baseball's interactive media and Internet company, MLB Advanced Media (MLBAM), will provide premium programming to Akimbo, for its Internet-delivered video-on-demand service for television. Akimbo's programming from MLBAM will include on-demand baseball action including condensed games and a selection of MLB highlight clips. Most selections will be available in the early morning the day after the games. In addition, full game replays of past seasons' key match-ups, such as record breakers and perfect games, pennant races, playoffs and World Series games will be offered through the Akimbo Service. MLBAM's archive collection covers the rich history of baseball, from legends to celebrated games and current stars.

"We're thrilled that Major League Baseball Advanced Media has chosen Akimbo as a partner and that we are able to add them to Akimbo's great line-up of programming," said Josh Goldman, chief executive officer of Akimbo. "What makes this special is that sports fans will be able to get their daily baseball fix on-demand on their TV's, directly from MLB Advanced Media."

"MLBAM is always looking for innovative ways to help our audience enjoy more baseball. Akimbo's VOD service is perfect because it combines the convenience of the Internet with the comfort of the living room," said Gordon Govens, vice president of business development for MLBAM.

The Akimbo Service lets subscribers with a broadband-Internet connection select programs for download to the Akimbo Player, or later this fall, to a Microsoft Media Center, for viewing on their televisions. Akimbo's MLBAM subscription service will feature daily auto-delivery of condensed games and highlights. In addition Akimbo allows subscribers to choose and begin downloading MLBAM game replays from anywhere they have access to the Internet in order to watch the programs when they get home. Programs can also be chosen by remote control for download to the Akimbo Player, which stores up to 150 hours of video and has viewing controls such as pause, rewind and archive.

"Being an avid baseball fan myself, I am excited that through the Akimbo Service I can access Major League Baseball Advanced Media's classic and condensed games as well as game highlights," said Ben Bajarin of analyst firm Creative Strategies. "To have them delivered via IP for on-demand TV viewing is a huge win for Akimbo and its audience. Looking forward, this agreement provides a roadmap for digital sell-through to the television that I hope other content companies will take advantage of."

Offering programming from more than 125 distinctive providers and over 50 categories of specialty video content, Akimbo is a complement to existing broadcast, cable and satellite services. Programs on the Akimbo Service include independent film, hobbies, and sports that cannot be found elsewhere on television. In addition, Akimbo features popular programs from well-known partners like A&E, BBC, The Cartoon Network, CNN, National Geographic, Scripps Networks, Turner Classic Movies and now, Major League Baseball Advanced Media. Akimbo is constantly searching for new content partners and updating its growing video collection to ensure a wide-ranging and ever-changing selection of programs.

The Akimbo Player and remote control are $199.99 and the Akimbo Service is $9.99 a month with the first three months free at
www.akimbo.com

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Source

http://www.akimbo.com/

**Sean Mota** · 08-23-2005 10:54 AM

This is another IPTV service. This one provides a box like XTV and it seems like there are two subscription packages one is a flat fee of ~ 10 per month. The other is lifetime subscription as long as you buy the box. Also this is an on demand service which one can download anytime, I guess.

**Sean Mota** · 08-23-2005 10:55 AM

btw, no HD programming. Just SD.

**Scott Greczkowski** · 08-23-2005 11:07 AM

I wonder if it works as well as XTV. I am still amazed how good the PQ is on XTV.

**Sean Mota** · 08-23-2005 11:08 AM

There's a 3 months free trial if anyone wants to try it.

**hdtvGeek** · 08-29-2005 09:30 AM

I saw where they are planning to release a software (PC) based player. I think I ( and others) would be more inclined to try a service like this without having to invest in an additional piece of hardware. $200 is a little pricey to just try a service (glad I got the $0 install with Voom

)

If nubaTV comes through with HD content and Akimbo with SD, this combo just might work in conjunction with OTA. I'm thinking about putting together an HTPC and bypassing Dish/Direct/Cable altogether as I'm not impressed by any of my current options.

Still just OTA with my Voom Box....