Cellcast Group
{{short description|British television broadcasting company}}
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{{Notability|Companies|date=September 2020}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2015}}
Cellcast Group is a broadcasting company based in the United Kingdom. They operate channels (or have operated channels) on the Sky UK, Virgin Media, YouTube,{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/user/PsychicToday|title = Psychic Today - YouTube|website = YouTube}} Freesat and Freeview TV platforms in the UK and internationally via paid programming which consist of participatory television programming such as phone-ins, teleshopping and quiz channels. They are also a provider of software development services for the media industry such as second screen application development, production of digital on screen graphics, mobile gaming development, direct carrier billing, EPG systems and internet marketing.{{Cite web|title=Cellcast - TV Broadcast, Interactive TV, Interactive Media|url=https://cellcast.tv/|access-date=2020-12-31|website=cellcast.tv}}
History
- 2001 - The company is founded by Andrew Wilson and Bertrand Folliet and forms partnerships to distribute mobile content with companies such as News Corporation, Sony BMG, Yahoo! and AOL Europe.,{{Cite web|date=9 July 2001 |title=Cellcast on trail of growth funding|url=https://www.scmp.com/article/351887/cellcast-trail-growth-funding|access-date=2021-06-02|website=South China Morning Post|language=en}} and becomes one of the biggest ringtone sellers in Asia.{{Cite web|last=Charny|first=Ben|title=Ring-tone jingles: Music to U.S. ears?|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/ring-tone-jingles-music-to-u-s-ears/|access-date=2021-07-04|website=ZDNet|language=en}}
- 2002 - Starts broadcasting interactive content on various existing channels on Sky Digital via paid programming such as text in shows and competitions.{{Cite web|title=Game Network footage w/ GJ Maria - YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLu_Jtp_C5o&feature=youtu.be&list=PLoP3FfYDS2WAffRjLuSUbabysxK66onDb&t=66 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211220/pLu_Jtp_C5o |archive-date=2021-12-20 |url-status=live|access-date=2020-12-31|website=www.youtube.com}}{{cbignore}}
- 2004 - The Psychic Today UK TV channel is launched. Interactive TalkSport TV show is launched.{{Cite web|title=Talksport TV?|url=https://forums.digitalspy.com/discussion/157915/talksport-tv|access-date=2021-05-23|website=Digital Spy}}{{Citation|title=Talk Sport|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKmByalaZf0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211220/lKmByalaZf0 |archive-date=2021-12-20 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2021-05-24}}{{cbignore}}
- 2005 - The company is listed on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange.{{Cite web|title=Cellcast joins AIM {{!}} Cellcast plc (VITA) {{!}} RNS Company Announcements {{!}} Equities {{!}} Trustnet|url=https://www2.trustnet.com/Investments/Article.aspx?id=200509210800065425R|access-date=2020-12-31|website=www2.trustnet.com}} The company launches a Digital Pet like channel called 'Paddock'.{{Cite web|title=Cellcast believes the mobile omens bode well for float|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2920988/Cellcast-believes-the-mobile-omens-bode-well-for-float.html|access-date=2020-12-31|website=The Telegraph|language=en-GB}}
- 2006 - Signs contracts with Brazil Telecom, Telefónica and RedeTV! to broadcast interactive TV during football breaks. Launches Sumo TV In the United Kingdom.{{Cite web|last=Kiss|first=Jemima|date=2006-11-27|title=User-generated TV channel Sumo.tv launches|url=http://www.theguardian.com/media/2006/nov/27/newmedia.broadcasting2|access-date=2020-12-31|website=the Guardian|language=en}} Launches Bid2Win TV show in India on Sony TV, Sahara One, Zoom TV and Zee TV.{{Cite web|title=Cellcast to launch first ever mega participation TV show 'Bid2Win' from May 7 - Exchange4media|url=https://www.exchange4media.com/advertising-news/cellcast-to-launch-first-ever-mega-participation-tv-show-bid2win-from-may-7-20960.html|access-date=2020-12-31|website=Indian Advertising Media & Marketing News – exchange4media|language=en}} The company is appointed to handle regional voting for The X Factor.{{Cite web |last=Wilkes |first=Neil |date=2006-03-23 |title=Huge pan-Arabic 'X Factor' planned |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a30802/huge-pan-arabic-x-factor-planned/ |access-date=2022-03-13 |website=Digital Spy |language=en-GB}}
- 2007 - Launches Sumo TV in Brazil on TV Cultura.{{Cite web|title=Sumo TV Pilot for TV Cultura Brazil 2007 - YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z23CQzGTRMs |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211220/Z23CQzGTRMs |archive-date=2021-12-20 |url-status=live|access-date=2020-12-31|website=www.youtube.com}}{{cbignore}} Launches a mobile portal in France with Canal+, SFR and Bouygues Telecom.{{Cite web|title=Le groupe Canal + lance sa nouvelle plateforme Internet mobile Canalsat|url=https://www.e-marketing.fr/Thematique/cross-canal-1094/Breves/groupe-Canal-lance-nouvelle-plateforme-Internet-mobile-Canalsat-167780.htm#|access-date=2020-12-31|website=www.e-marketing.fr/|language=fr}} The company wins 'best interactive show' at the Indian Telly Awards for their Bid2Win show.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2007-02-06|title=Indian Telly Awards Technical Nite hits new high|url=https://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k7/feb/feb76.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070306104833/http://indiantelevision.com:80/headlines/y2k7/feb/feb76.htm |archive-date=6 March 2007 |access-date=2021-01-15|website=Indian Television Dot Com|language=en}} Signs a deal with Bebo to distribute Sumo TV on its social networking website.{{Cite web |title=Investegate {{!}}Cellcast plc Announcements {{!}} Cellcast plc: Bebo.com Distribution Deal |url=https://www.investegate.co.uk/cellcast-plc/rns/bebo-com-distribution-deal/200711260701464084I/ |access-date=2022-03-13 |website=www.investegate.co.uk}}
- 2008 - The company sells two Sky UK electronic programme guide slots for £1.4m to Discovery Networks.{{Cite web|last=Welsh|first=James|date=2008-03-27|title=Sumo owner in £1.4m EPG slot trade|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tech/satellite/a92368/sumo-owner-in-14m-epg-slot-trade/|access-date=2020-12-31|website=Digital Spy|language=en-GB}}
- 2009 - Launches The Big Deal TV channel in the United Kingdom with programming consisting of teleshopping and phone-in quiz shows. Acquires mobile content rights to the Indian Premier League.{{Cite web|last=Pahwa|first=Nikhil|date=2009-04-17|title=Cellcast Gets IPL Mobile Content Rights For India, Covering SMS, Voice And USSD|url=https://www.medianama.com/2009/04/223-cellcast-gets-ipl-mobile-content-rights-for-india-covering-sms-voice-and-ussd/|access-date=2021-05-31|website=MediaNama|language=en-US}}
- 2010 - Indian programming is expanded to include a variety of interactive TV formats including 'Sa Re Gaana', an interactive version of the show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa.{{Cite web|title=Sa Re Gaana - YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tO4m033kpU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211220/2tO4m033kpU |archive-date=2021-12-20 |url-status=live|access-date=2020-12-31|website=www.youtube.com}}{{cbignore}}
- 2011 - The company launches TView, which is a Pay Per View channel on Freeview which allows viewers to pay for movies via SMS text messages, on the phone or online.https://www.bizasialive.com/new-freeview-channel-offers-ppv-
- 2013 - Psychic Today is launched in the United States as paid programming on the TV channel Telos.{{Cite web|title=Psychic Today Launches in the United States, Partnership With Telos TV Extends Reach of the UK's Longest-Running Interactive Psychic Television Show to 58 Million Americans|url=http://finance.yahoo.com/news/psychic-today-launches-united-states-140000280.html|access-date=2021-05-23|website=finance.yahoo.com|language=en-US}}
- 2014 - The company's middle eastern operations are acquired by BinBit.{{Cite web|date=2014-03-04|title=Binbit Acquires Company in the Middle East|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20140304006515/en/Binbit-Acquires-Company-in-the-Middle-East|access-date=2020-12-31|website=www.businesswire.com|language=en}} The Big Deal is sold to Sony Entertainment Networks for £2.98m.{{Cite web|title=TVARK > Branding > Satellite & Cable > Sony Movie Channel|url=https://www.tvark.org/?page=4003|access-date=2020-12-31|website=www.tvark.org}}
- 2019 - The company was sold as part of a management buyout to Com & Tel Media Limited currently owned by Craig Gardiner and Emmanuelle Erna Guicharnaud.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sharecast.com/news/aim-bulletin/cellcast-to-dispose-of-operating-business-become-cash-shell--6951296.html|title=Cellcast to dispose of operating business, become cash shell}}{{Cite web|url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/04327957/officers|title=CELLCAST UK LIMITED - Officers (Free information from Companies House)}} Its investment operations are retained by Vintana Plc.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sharecast.com/news/aim-bulletin/cellcast-to-dispose-of-operating-business-become-cash-shell--6951296.html|title=Cellcast to dispose of operating business, become cash shell}}
References
External links
- [http://www.cellcast.tv cellcast.tv]
Category:Television broadcasting companies of the United Kingdom
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