• 15.10.2008

    Roll-out will focus on multi-dwelling units (MDUs) which are underserved by satellite TV, starting with Arabic Language content in the United States and Canada

    DUBAI and CANNES, Oct. 15 — KIT digital, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: KITD), a leading global provider of IPTV enablement technology and video-centric interactive marketing solutions, announced today that it has been selected by TV2Moro, a new firm backed by several top-tier ethnic television aggregators and producers, to deploy a new IPTV set-top box (STB) service to deliver programming to ethnic consumers in North America. The TV2Moro/KIT digital partnership has a minimum term of 48 months, and involves platform development fees, ongoing platform licensing fees, and a revenue share model based on the number of subscribers adopting the service.

    TV2Moro’s initial commercial roll-out will include a top-tier bouquet of Arabic language channels, and is scheduled for the beginning of 2009, with a test phase (or commercial “alpha”) taking place now. During the MIPCOM audiovisual conference taking place now in Cannes, France, KIT digital is performing live product demonstrations of the TV2Moro STB platform for prospective broadcaster and telecommunications partners.

    “The TV2Moro partnership is a harbinger of the future for KIT digital,” commented Kaleil Isaza Tuzman, chairman and chief executive officer of KIT digital. “We are applying a network- and device-agnostic approach to all of our client partners — thinking through platform development and distribution across IPTV set-top boxes, mobile phones and the browser. We see ourselves as the only player in the market with this big-picture approach and capability - making us more relevant to our clients’ bottom-line than browser-only, video- player and online tools-focused companies.”

    TV2Moro anticipates revealing its full content slate, as well as its financial and commercial backers, during the National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE) conference in Las Vegas, starting January 26, 2009. TV2Moro anticipates launching the service with at least 20 channels, and expects to roll-out other ethnic packages (such as Russian and Spanish-language) through 2009 and 2010.

    The Arabic language package launch is expected to make an immediate impact within the Arab-American and Arab-Canadian communities, as it will offer hard- to-get, TV-quality Arabic programming at attractive price points. The TV2Moro service will feature a company-installed, easy-to-operate set-top box which will “look” and “feel” like a standard cable box, and will work with all broadband Internet providers. The TV2Moro service will support live programming, video-on-demand, pay-per-view and digital video recording functionalities. Later versions of the TV2Moro set-top box may also function as an IP telephony device.

    KIT digital was selected for its end-to-end service, complete product portfolio, enterprise customer service, and content acquisition expertise. KIT digital is managing the entire fulfillment, platform technology and IPTV broadcasting/streaming components of the TV2Moro system, including but not limited to: capture and ingest of satellite and IP-based content, transcoding and encoding, meta-tagging, configuration, programming interface and streaming (live and VoD/DVR). KIT digital will also manage, through an outsource service provider, the in-home installations of the product, and handle inventory management and tier 2 customer service support. Future versions of the TV2Moro STB service will be integrated with online and mobile offerings, in a seamless “home and away-from-home” entertainment solution.

    Gavin Campion, president of KIT digital, continued, “For us, it’s all about developing AND monetizing IP-based video platforms for our clients. The TV2Moro deal is an enterprise deal for us by any definition-be it team effort, revenues, gross contribution etc. However, it is structured in such a way so that we are very motivated to see TV2Moro succeed commercially, and share in that success.”

    Ethnic media is an enormous market that is well understood by the KIT digital management team. More than 65 million people in North America prefer to consume media in a language other than English, and about a quarter of all U.S. adults consume some type of ethnic media, according to a recent Knight Foundation poll. Today, satellite TV is the dominant modality in the ethnic television market in the United States, but satellite TV is richly priced and most often inaccessible in MDUs. Satellite TV is also one-way, lacking the interactive and social media components available through IPTV.

    The TV2Moro “alpha” version is being demonstrated by KIT digital in booth a04.20 at the MIPCOM audiovisual conference in Cannes, France through October 16, 2008.

    About TV2Moro

    TV2Moro is an ethnic programming IPTV distribution network focusing on diaspora communities in North America, Australia and Europe. TV2Moro executives and investors come from several top-tier ethnic television aggregators and producers. TV2Moro is currently in an “alpha” deployment of its Arabic channel bouquet and will launch the commercial “beta” of its Arabic package on or about January 1, 2009. TV2Moro anticipates revealing its initial content slate, as well as its commercial partners and financial backers, during the National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE) conference in Las Vegas, starting January 26, 2009. In the future, you will find information on TV2Moro at http://www.tv2moro.com.

    About KIT digital

    KIT digital, Inc. (OTCBB: KITD) is a leading, global provider of proprietary IP-based video distribution technologies and video-centric interactive marketing solutions. Through its end-to-end platform, KIT digital works closely with consumer brands, content providers and telcos to maximize the value of video content via the Internet, mobile networks and IPTV set-top box solutions. The KIT VX platform allows clients to publish, manage and distribute digital video content, build online/mobile
    communities and integrate advertising. The Company offers businesses a full range of interactive marketing solutions and KIT clients can access approximately 100 KIT-syndicated channels and 40,000 KIT-syndicated videos. KIT digital clients include News Corp., Verizon, IMG, China Mobile, Telefonica, Vodafone, K-Mart, Coles, NASDAQ, Hummer and RCS. KIT digital has principal offices in Dubai, Melbourne (Australia), Stockholm, Prague, New York and London. For additional information, please visit http://www.kit-digital.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release contains certain “forward-looking statements” related to the businesses of KIT digital, Inc. which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes,” “expects” or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including uncertainties relating to product development and commercialization, the ability to obtain or maintain patent and other proprietary intellectual property protection, market acceptance, future capital requirements, regulatory actions or delays, competition in general and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Certain of these risks and uncertainties are or will be described in greater detail in our public filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. KIT digital, Inc. is not under obligation to (and expressly disclaims any such obligation to) update or alter its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Media Contact:
    Jonathan Cutler
    Verse Communications
    818.981.3023
    jonathan@verseinc.com

  • 14.10.2008

    KIT digital will support worldwide digital distribution for global entertainment network

    DUBAI and LOS ANGELES – October 14, 2008 KIT digital, Inc. (OTCBB: KITD), a leading global provider of IPTV enablement technology and video-centric interactive marketing solutions, announced today that the company has been selected by Bennett Media Worldwide, a leading provider of men’s lifestyle programming, to build and promote the company’s online and mobile outlets—including its MEN7 web portal. Through its global content syndication group, KIT digital will offer Bennett additional syndication outlets for MEN7 content to a variety of national and international Internet and mobile partners. KIT digital’s “VX” digital asset management platform will provide MEN7 with a best-of-breed customer-facing video portal, while giving Bennett the ability to publish its content in localized formats and protocols to partners globally. KIT digital’s global footprint will enable MEN7 to access new markets in syndication, and provide its content to mobile handsets—a key component of this deal.

    A wholly-owned subsidiary of The Bennett Group, Bennett Media Worldwide is a lifestyle and entertainment production company delivering compelling and dynamic high-definition television programming through its MEN7 network to affluent men in the 25 to 54 year old demographic. MEN7 is currently distributed through traditional television carriage in over 140 countries, making it amongst the most watched programming in the world for this demographic. Including “The MEN7 Show,” MEN7.TV produces seven high-definition broadband-oriented series, in both short and long-form, including “The Extremists,” “Beyond The List,” “Billionaires Car Club,” “Bikini Destinations” and “Eventurer”.

    Kaleil Isaza Tuzman, chairman and chief executive officer of KIT digital, commented, “We are very pleased to have been selected by The Bennett Group in the context of a competitive bidding process. The MEN7 partnership is a great example of our ability to assist content providers in harnessing the power of both online and mobile distribution on a global basis—a variegated monetization path which we view as essential in today’s markets but we don’t believe is offered with the same breadth or depth by any of our competitors.” The Bennett Group’s chief executive officer, Casey Bennett, added, “We believe that in KIT digital we have found the perfect partner to assist MEN7 navigate and thrive in the digital environment. KIT digital has the right combination of technology and syndication services to provide MEN7 with a platform to successfully monetize its content on both a domestic and international level. We look forward to a long and productive partnership.”

    The parent company of MEN7 was founded by Casey Bennett and is co-owned by broadcast pioneer Robert Bennett—formerly the single largest owner of TV and radio stations in the U.S., and former President of Metromedia Broadcasting, forerunner to the Fox Network.

    KIT digital has emerged as one of the world’s top video interactive firms, having been called upon by industry heavyweights such as Associated Press, Telefonica, ABC Disney, News Corporation and Verizon to bolster online and mobile TV platforms and increase audience reach and market share through creative cutting-edge, consumer-facing IPTV interfaces. For more information on KIT digital’s product and service capabilities, please visit www.kit-digital.comor call +971-4-364-3549. KIT digital is performing live product demonstrations for its online, mobile and IPTV set-top box solutions in booth a04.20 at the MIPCOM audiovisual conference in Cannes, France through October 16, 2008.

    About MEN7
    MEN7, a part of Bennett Media Worldwide, is a lifestyle and entertainment network delivering compelling and dynamic high-definition television programming for affluent and active managed 25-54. MEN7 is distributed across multiple platforms, including a weekly flagship high-definition television series on ION Media Networks and the MEN7.tvbroadband website, and daily episodes are currently syndicated worldwide to selected broadband, IPTV and mobile distribution partners.
    The Bennett Group is a fully integrated entertainment studio encompassing four distinct divisions: Bennett Media Worldwide programs are distributed in 140 territories and exhibited for sale at events including NATPE, MIPTV, MIPCOM and SPORTEL. Bennett Productions is the content development and production division, including state-of-the-art soundstages in the Los Angeles area. Bennett Music offers stereo and full digital 5.1 surround sound music in its audio production studios. Bennett HD/LA is among the few fully high-definition post-production facilities in Los Angeles. For additional information, please visit www.bennettgroup.tv.

    About KIT digital
    KIT digital, Inc. (OTCBB: KITD) is a leading, global provider of proprietary IP-based video distribution technologies and video-centric interactive marketing solutions. Through its end-to-end platform, KIT digital works closely with consumer brands, content providers and telcos to maximize the value of video content via the Internet and mobile networks. The KIT VX platform allows clients to publish, manage and distribute digital video content, build online/mobile communities and integrate advertising. KIT offers businesses a full range of interactive marketing solutions and KIT clients can access approximately 100 KIT-syndicated channels and 40,000 KIT-syndicated videos. KIT digital clients include News Corp.,
    Verizon, IMG, China Mobile, Telefonica, Vodafone, K-Mart, Coles, NASDAQ, Hummer and RCS. KIT digital has principal offices in Dubai, Melbourne (Australia), Stockholm, Prague, New York and London. For additional information, visit www.kit-digital.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release contains certain “forward-looking statements” related to the businesses of KIT digital, Inc. which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes,” “expects” or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including uncertainties relating to product development and commercialization, the ability to obtain or maintain patent and other proprietary intellectual property protection, market acceptance, future capital requirements, regulatory actions or delays, competition in general and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Certain of these risks and uncertainties are or will be described in greater detail in our public filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. KIT digital, Inc. is not under obligation to (and expressly disclaims any such obligation to) update or alter its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Media Contact:
    Jonathan Cutler
    Verse Communications
    818.981.3023
    jonathan@verseinc.com

  • 14.10.2008

    DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Oct. 14 - KIT digital, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: KITD - News), a leading global provider of IPTV enablement technology and video-centric interactive marketing solutions, announced on October 7, 2008 that it had acquired privately held Visual Connection, a.s., a digital media and IPTV solutions provider for major media outlets in Europe and the Middle East. KIT digital announced that the acquisition was pro forma accretive, and that the combined company is now generating in excess of $40 million in revenue on an annualized basis, with positive operating EBITDA.

    The company will host a conference call to discuss the acquisition, management’s strategic plan and the current market environment at 10:30 a.m. ET/ 4:30 p.m. CET on Thursday, October 16, 2008. To participate in the call, please dial +1 (800) 762-6568 (North America) or +1 (480) 248-5088 (outside of North America). Please dial into the call at least five minutes before the scheduled start time to allow for processing time.

    For interested individuals unable to join the live conference call, a replay of the call will be available beginning Thursday, October 16, 2008, one hour after the initial call, until Thursday, October 30, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. ET. To access the replay, please dial +1 (800) 475-6701 (North America) or +1 (320) 365-3844 (outside of North America). The access code for the audio replay is 964890.

    About KIT digital

    KIT digital, Inc. (OTCBB: KITD - News) is a leading, global provider of proprietary IP-based video distribution technologies and video-centric interactive marketing solutions. Through its end-to-end platform, KIT digital works closely with consumer brands, content providers and telcos to maximize the value of video content via the Internet, mobile networks and IPTV set-top boxes. The KIT VX platform allows clients to publish, manage and distribute digital video content, build online/mobile communities and integrate advertising. KIT offers businesses a full range of interactive marketing solutions and KIT clients can access approximately 100 KIT-syndicated channels and 40,000 KIT-syndicated videos. KIT digital clients include ABC Disney, Associated Press, China Mobile, General Motors, IMG, Kmart, NASDAQ, News Corp, RCS, Telefonica and Verizon. KIT digital has principal offices in Dubai, Melbourne (Australia), Prague, Stockholm, New York and London. For additional information, visit http://www.kit-digital.com.

    Media Contact:
    Jonathan Cutler
    Verse Communications
    818.981.3023
    jonathan@verseinc.com

  • 07.10.2008

    Acquisition of software, digitization services & content delivery network solidifies KIT digital’s European leadership and extends global IPTV Capabilities

    Combined company is EBITDA-positive at more than US$40 million in annualized revenue

    DUBAI and PRAGUE, Czech Republic, Oct. 7 - KIT digital, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board:KITD - News), a leading global provider of IPTV enablement technology and video-centric interactive marketing solutions, has acquired privately-held Visual Connection, a.s., a digital media and IPTV solutions provider for major media outlets in Europe and the Middle East. Financial figures below are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted.

    Through its headquarters in the Czech Republic and sales offices in Bratislava (Slovakia), London, and Dubai, Visual Connection offers content digitization, localization and IP-based editing, storage, video players, and content streaming, as well as set up of digital network operations centers (NOCs) for television broadcasters, government entities, healthcare providers and telecommunications companies.

    On October 5, 2008, KIT digital acquired 100% of the outstanding capital stock of Visual Connection (on a working capital and debt-neutral basis) for $2.5 million, paid in cash at the time of the closing. Subject to performance thresholds, KIT will pay an additional $7.5 million in KIT digital common shares or cash (or a combination thereof), at KIT’s sole election, over a 24-month period. The performance benchmarks comprise certain net revenues and EBITDA targets for Visual Connection, as well as the retention of certain key personnel. The approximately 65 employees of Visual Connection will receive two million cash-exercise warrants or options in aggregate, vesting over four years, which are subject to the terms of KIT digital’s employee incentive stock plan.

    Management believes the terms of the acquisition will be immediately accretive. Visual Connection generated an estimated $13.0 million in revenues and more than $1.0 million in EBITDA during the trailing 12 months ended August 31, 2008. Looking forward, management estimates the operations of Visual Connection will contribute revenue and EBITDA of more than $4.0 million and $275,000, respectively, in the fourth quarter of 2008, exclusive of any operational or cost-savings synergies.

    Prior to this acquisition, KIT was on pace to reach positive operating EBITDA position on a standalone during the course of the current fourth quarter. As a result of the acquisition (without factoring in the benefit of any revenue or cost synergies), management believes the combination of Visual and KIT is immediately operating EBITDA-positive, generating more than $40 million in revenues on an annualized basis. With now more than 400 clients across 25 countries, the regional revenue breakdown for the combined company is estimated to be 55% in EMEA (including South Asia); 37% in Asia/Pacific; and 8% in the Americas. The company expects to have at least a $5.0 million net cash position pro forma of the Visual Connection acquisition.

    KIT digital is not issuing any new capital stock in connection with the closing of this acquisition, and continues to estimate 145.6 million shares outstanding pro forma of past share purchases and current registration processes. Based on the closing price of KIT’s stock on Monday, October 6, 2008, $0.25, the pro forma market capitalization of the company is approximately $36.4 million.

    Benefits of the acquisition of Visual Connection include:

    • Complementary and robust combined product suite; i.e., extension of KIT digital’s capabilities from its existing KIT VX IPTV software platform to content delivery network (CDN) and NOC set-up and maintenance capabilities
    • Substantial cross-selling opportunities in the context of a go-to-market plan focused on emerging markets
    • Solidified market share leadership across Continental and Eastern Europe
    • Seasoned management team with similar hard-driving, entrepreneurial culture
    • Equity-focused, performance-based deal structure, aligning interests of Visual Connection management and KIT digital
    • Immediate increase in revenue and profitability (accretive transaction).

    Strengthened also by the recent accretive and debt-free acquisition of Morpheum, a web-based content management system provider, KIT digital has quickly emerged as one of the leading players in the fast-growing IPTV industry, with a focus on international markets.

    The acquisition of Visual Connection demonstrates KIT’s intention to be the clear industry leader in the Central and Eastern European region. TV advertising revenue from this market alone is estimated to double to $12 billion by 2013. Media spending in this region is growing four times as fast as in the U.K. and Western Europe, with more than 20 million broadband users added per year (Source: Informa Telecoms & Media). KIT digital plans to upsell its KIT VX platform into Visual’s existing client base, while leveraging KIT’s global network of salespeople to accelerate expansion of Visual’s digitization and NOC capabilities into other emerging markets, particularly Middle East/North Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America.

    “This is a game-changing acquisition for us,” notes Kaleil Isaza Tuzman, chairman and chief executive officer, KIT digital. “We now have greater geographic and financial scale, and the companies’ complementary product lines open up markets for each other. In particular, Visual Connection puts us in a position to better leverage client opportunities in emerging markets.”
    Gavin Campion, president of KIT digital, added, “We believe this combination makes KIT digital the largest company to date in the IP-based video platform marketplace, as measured by revenues, operating cash flow, geographic penetration, and product suite capabilities. This acquisition completes our 2008 strategic plan, and now our focus turns to operational and technical integration, cross-selling, and penetrating new client segments.”

    Tomas Petru, CEO of Visual Connection, and Jakub Vanek, chief engineer of Visual Connection, have joined KIT digital in senior management positions.

    According to Petru, “As Visual began to expand beyond on its Central European base, we recognized the advantages of partnering with a global player like KIT digital and how it could accelerate this process. We were immediately attracted to KIT’s focus on international growth, financial discipline, and desire to take advantage of today’s challenging markets by consolidating leadership in our space. While some other companies in our industry are struggling to cohere a market strategy or becoming casualties of Wall Street, KIT knows what it wants and has the wherewithal to get there. We are convinced we joined the winning team.”

    KIT digital and Visual Connection will market their combined product suite as a corporate presenter at the MIPCOM 2008 audiovisual conference in Cannes, France from October 13-17, 2008.

    KIT digital will be filing a Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which will include further detail surrounding the Visual Connection acquisition.

    Conference Call

    The company will host a conference call to discuss the Visual Connection acquisition, management’s strategic plan, and the current market environment. The call is scheduled at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, October 16, 2008, the details of which will be disseminated in a separate press release. For interested individuals unable to join the live conference call, a call-in replay will be available and an online audio archive of the call will be available on the company’s website (http://www.kit-digital.com) for 30 days following the call.

    About Visual Connection

    Visual Connection, a.s. is the European specialist of choice in the supply and delivery of comprehensive digital media solutions, services and components since 1991. The company designs, develops, delivers and integrates IPTV systems for professional, digital production, processing, distribution and archiving of audiovisual materials. Visual Connection links its expertise with integration capabilities for television, IT and telco systems, and offers technical and service support available 24/7. Visual Connection has over 200 clients, and has been involved in deployments for television and radio stations, graphics publishers, audiovisual production and post production houses, state and federal government administration, education companies, telcos and healthcare providers. Visual Connection is based in Prague, with sales representation offices in Bratislava (Slovakia), London and Dubai. For more information, go to: http://www.visual.cz/en.

    About KIT digital

    KIT digital, Inc. (OTCBB: KITD - News) is a leading, global provider of proprietary IP-based video distribution technologies and video-centric interactive marketing solutions. Through its end-to-end platform, KIT digital works closely with consumer brands, content providers and telcos to maximize the value of video content via the Internet and mobile networks. The KIT VX platform allows clients to publish, manage and distribute digital video content, build online/mobile communities and integrate advertising. KIT offers businesses a full range of interactive marketing solutions and KIT clients can access approximately 100 KIT-syndicated channels and 40,000 KIT-syndicated videos. KIT digital clients include News Corp., Verizon, IMG, China Mobile, Telefonica, Vodafone, K-Mart, Coles, NASDAQ, Hummer and RCS. KIT digital has principal offices in Dubai, Melbourne (Australia), Stockholm, New York and London. For additional information, visit http://www.kit-digital.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains certain “forward-looking statements” related to the businesses of KIT digital, Inc. and Visual Connection, a.s. which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes,” “expects” or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including uncertainties relating to product development and commercialization, the ability to obtain or maintain patent and other proprietary intellectual property protection, market acceptance, future capital requirements, regulatory actions or delays, competition in general and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Certain of these risks and uncertainties are or will be described in greater detail in our public filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Neither KIT digital, Inc. nor Visual Connection, a.s. are under obligation to (and expressly disclaims any such obligation to) update or alter its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

     

    Media Contact:
    Jonathan Cutler
    Verse Communications
    818.981.3023
    jonathan@verseinc.com