Adobe Launches Version 1.1 of its Adobe Media Player

--Signs Programming Deals with Sony, Crackle, CBS, Showtime

Adobe Systems has released its first update to Adobe Media Player, the
customizable, cross-platform media player software (enables playback
of streamed, downloaded or locally stored video in the FLV or H.264
formats) that it launched in April (see [itvt] Issue 7.77 Part 2a).
According to the company, the new version of the player features
significant user interface and navigation enhancements (making for
what the company describes as a "clean, more intuitive user interface");
a new home screen; notifications that update users about new content
available through the player; and the ability to download content in the
background while working on other tasks.

In addition, Adobe has signed new deals with Sony Pictures
Entertainment and its subsidiary, Crackle, and has also expanded its
existing deal with CBS and its subsidiary, Showtime Networks. The
deal with Sony Pictures sees the latter supplying the Adobe Media
Player with a range of content, including the movies, "Men in Black,"
"Ghostbusters," "Underworld Evolution," "The Fifth Element" and
"Jerry Maguire," as well as an offering, dubbed the Minisode Network,
that features four- to six-minute versions of such TV series as "Fat
Albert," "He-Man," "She-Ra," "Square Pegs," "Married... With
Children," "Bewitched," "Starsky & Hutch," "Spiderman," "The Karate
Kid," "The Three Stooges," "I Dream of Jeannie," "Who's The Boss?,"
"Dilbert," "Facts of Life," "The Young and the Restless," "Charlie's
Angels," "Sheena," "What's Happening!!," "Dif'rent Strokes," and
"Fantasy Island." The deal with Crackle sees the latter providing the
player with original online programming, including "The Rascal,"
"That Guy," "Owen Benjamin Presents," "Comedy Gumbo," "Mr.
Justice & Powerful Girl," "Mr Diety," "Sands of Passion," and "The
Cell." The deal with CBS sees the latter providing full episodes of "48
Hours," "Beverly Hills 90210" (Seasons 1, 2 and 3), "Danny Bonaduce:
Life Coach," "Family Ties" (Seasons 1 and 2), "The Love Boat," and
"The Price is Right"; as well as clips from "Late Show with David
Letterman." And the deal with Showtime Networks sees the latter
offering clips from "The Tudors" and other shows. Adobe claims that
the Adobe Media Player now offers around 25,000 pieces of content,
including over 600 shows.