KIT Digital Acquires Sezmi Assets For $27 Million

Sezmi -- a well-financed startup that tried to challenge cable and satellite TV operators with a cheap hybrid broadcast-Internet video service -- has been acquired by Czech Republic-based video management services provider KIT Digital for $27 million.

Founded in 2006, Sezmi had raised more than $92 million from investors including Morgenthaler Ventures, OmniCapital Group, Index Ventures, TD Fund, Legend Ventures and Advanced Equities.

KIT Digital acquired certain assets and liabilities of Sezmi on Dec. 30, 2011, the company said Friday. Investment bank Stifel Nicolaus Weisel was the exclusive financial advisor to Sezmi in the transaction.

Sezmi had marketed an inexpensive bundle of live and VOD content in 36 U.S. markets , starting at $4.99 per month, delivered via a combination of broadcast airwaves -- leased from local TV stations -- and broadband Internet. "The main complaint from consumers is that cable is too expensive," Sezmi president Phil Wiser said in a 2008 interview . "People don't think it's a good value."

Source: Multichannel News

Mazda Kit Now Available for the iSimple GateWay Car Docking System

by whatz

Clearwater, Florida - For those with late-model Mazda vehicles, the days that you need an FM modulator or 3.5 mm auxiliary cable to hear music from an iPod (R) or iPhone (R) are over thanks to iSimple (R). Today, iSimple - a leader in smartphone integration kit-to-vehicle and accessories - has announced that the popular Gateway (TM) (PXAMG) docking solution for iPod and iPhone is now compatible with many models Mazda 2010-2011. In addition, the company introduced a new kit Mazda specific GateWay (ISMZ571) and added to select the applications for its Mazda Gateway Kit for Ford (ISFD571).The gateway kit for Mazda (ISMZ71) will be available from the company of the four warehouses of the first week of April.

Available at car audio stores nationally, the gateway extends the audio and entertainment for most OEM stereo systems providing digital quality sound directly from any model of iPod or iPhone using the radio controls on the vehicle factory. The gateway also supports battery charging on all models of iPod and iPhone with a 30-pin connectors, and provides an additional audio input for use with other MP3 players, smartphones, and tablets.Users can also improve the characteristics of their gateway with a number of updates including NuRadio (TM) (HDRT) HD Radio tuner, the BluStream (TM) (ISBT21) module and a Bluetooth hands-free satellite radio receiver using a SATW (TM) (ISSR11) cable....

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