AIME launches Interactive Broadcast Services Guide

- cross platform guide outlines best practice for broadcasters and service providers

AIME, (formerly the NOC) the trade association  for the interactive media and entertainment industry, today launched its free Interactive Broadcast Services Guide.  The guide provides  practical advice on the processes involved in executing interactive and premium rate services such as programme voting, reverse auctions, competitions, text to screen and chat, from mobile phones, interactive voice response (IVR) and red button on digital TV.

Throughout 2007 a number of UK broadcasters and service providers attracted investigations as to how their participation TV services were run and as a result, some of the UK broadcasters suspended certain aspects of their interactive programming.  Unsurprisingly, consumer confidence in participation TV and radio faltered, and premium rate revenues all but dried up.  During this time AIME has driven various initiatives to restore confidence in the interactive broadcast sector and continues to work closely with the industry.

The Interactive Broadcast Services Guide supported by Mobile Interactive Group and other member broadcast service provers, can be downloaded at: www.aimelink.org and is targeted at broadcasters, programme producers mobile network operators, service providers and regulators and is intended to support any business that wishes to operate successful and compliant interactive services. 

In particular, the guide outlines the roles and responsibilities of each member of the value-chain and indicates best practice in areas such as programme planning, management and how to work within the guidelines provided by the appropriate regulators.  

This is the first time that a guide has been published that takes a total approach, linking all the stakeholders in the complex premium rate and interactive value chain.

Roy Ellyatt, CEO of AIME commented: “Now, with a renewed interest in how premium rate services can be introduced to provide programme interactivity, there is a clear need for industry stakeholders to work together and restore consumer confidence by implementing consistent and acceptable standards.  The Interactive Broadcast Services guide is an excellent industry resource, one which we intend to grow and adapt as the industry evolves.” 

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For images, interviews and further information about AIME please contact:
Tim Banks
infomob Public Relations
tim@infomob.co.uk
www.infomob.co.uk
+44 (0) 8707 652 564
+44 (0) 7771 512 057

About AIME
The Association for Interactive Media and Entertainment is the new name for the longest serving trade body in the interactive media business where customers use their telephones, televisions or computers to access, interact with and pay for information and entertainment.

What does AIME do?
AIME promotes excellence in the world of Interactive Media and Entertainment. The purpose of AIME is to create an environment of consumer confidence and trust within which our Members’ commerce can flourish within a framework of a strong Members’ code of ethics.

How is AIME different to other trade bodies?
AIME has a membership that represents the entire value chain – from the providers of information and entertainment to the network operators and technical service providers that deliver and bill them to customers. No other organisation has such reach or representation.