Opera Software ASA : TV Store boosts German entertainment with Videovalis

Oslo, Norway, and Cologne, Germany - October 10, 2014

Scores of German-language on-demand videos are set to land on the Opera TV Store app platform, as Opera Software inks an agreement with German motion-picture syndicator Videovalis. Videovalis capitalized on the free Opera TV Snap technology to transform its online video catalogs into apps for Smart TV devices.

Videovalis holds distribution rights for more than 21 regional German broadcasters, as well as producing its own entertainment content. The first batch of 24 Videovalis applications - including VIP News, Kränk, TV Berlin and München TV - have now debuted in the Opera TV Store for Germany, Switzerland and Austria. These news, programming and entertainment apps join more than 20 German-language apps already live in the Opera TV Store.

"The breakthrough Opera TV Snap technology offers broadcasters and video content owners a unique opportunity to re-purpose their video channels already sitting in the cloud, turning them into fully packaged apps optimized for Smart TV devices," says Daniel Nordberg, Head of Content Acquisition for TV & Devices, Opera Software. "With the Videovalis cooperation, German-speaking viewers of the Opera TV Store can enjoy even more of their favorite local content - on demand and with a regional flavor."

"With Opera as a new international partner, we are very pleased to start this great cooperation. In addition to our various offers on the web and mobile (such as our own app), this collaboration allows us to expand our distribution and make our video content available for Smart TV devices," says Thilo Burgey, CEO, Videovalis GmbH.

Opera TV Snap produces Smart TV apps in practically no time, with no cost and no complex development. As well as app creation, Opera Software offers monetization of apps through leading advertising platform Opera Mediaworks, as well as distribution via the Opera TV Store application platform. The platform is already live with pay-TV operators and major manufacturers of Smart TV devices, including Vestel, Sony, Samsung and TiVo.

Broadcasters and video content owners ready for prime time can turn their online video channel into a TV app via Opera TV Snap. Simply visit opera.com/tvsnap/ and click "Get started". Here you can add the details for your video channel, which will be transformed into a connected-TV app in less than a minute, ready to submit for review. 
Meet Opera Software next week at MIPCOM in Cannes (October 13-16). Contact zlauder [at] opera.com to arrange a commercial meeting or media/analyst briefing.

The Opera TV portfolio powers rich web experiences on tens of millions of Smart TVs, set-top boxes, Blu-ray Disc players and chipsets for more than 50 customers, including Sony, TiVo, Samsung, Swisscom, Philips, TCL and Sharp.
Tap into the complete suite of tools for creating compelling connected-TV experiences. The Opera TV ecosystem spans the Opera TV Store app platform with hundreds of entertaining apps tailor-made for TV, Opera Devices SDK (software development kit) for creating and rendering HTML5-based user interfaces, and the Opera TV browser for reaching the full web. Opera TV offers solutions for OEMs, pay-TV operators, broadcasters and content publishers. With the Opera Mediaworks advertising platform, Opera TV can help monetize and drive traffic to content through an end-to-end advertising solution. Visit www.opera.com/tv/ to learn more.

Videovalis combines high-quality video content with new player-technology and innovative video-advertising in one of the fastest-growing markets. The core competence covers licensing and syndication of premium video content along websites and portals with strong coverage. The company's portfolio includes daily news as well as video content in the range of celebrities, comedy, traveling, animals, health, entertainment, technology and sports with more than 125,000 videos in stock. Videovalis was founded in October 2009 and is headquartered in Cologne, Germany. Thilo Burgey and Thomas Gahlert are the company's CEOs. Visit http://www.videovalis.de/ or http://www.facebook.com/Videovalis for more information or have a look at the showroom at www.videovalis.tv for any video content.

Opera Software crafts products and services that connect 350 million people to the internet. More than 130 operators around the world choose to work with us to give their customers the best web experience. Our mobile advertising platform enables publishers to monetize their content and allows brands to reach a global audience of more than 800 million consumers.www.opera.com, or follow Opera on Facebook, Twitter and blogs.opera.com.

Opera, O logo and Opera TV Snap are trademarks of Opera Software ASA. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.