JumpTV

JumpTV Inc. was a Canadian internet television company established in 2000 to distribute television programming online, particularly foreign and third-language services for which it had obtained the necessary web rights. It emerged during the early expansion of internet video, when broadcasters were experimenting with online delivery but broadband capacity, rights clearance, device compatibility, and distribution infrastructure remained significant constraints. The company initially focused on making international television channels available through the internet. By June 2005, it carried approximately 30 television stations and operated with a small staff that included founder and chief executive Farrel Miller, chief technology officer Dan O'Hara, and technical support manager Mizan Chowdhury. Chairman G. Scott Paterson helped raise venture capital and supported investment in the company's technical infrastructure as JumpTV attempted to scale its distribution network. JumpTV's business later expanded substantially. At its peak, the company offered content from more than 300 television and radio broadcasters in over 70 countries through the JumpTV content-delivery network. Its programming model addressed audiences seeking access to international, ethnic, specialty, and sports content that was not always readily available through conventional local television distribution. The company also operated a sports-focused web-services division based in Sanford, Florida. That division hosted official websites and online video or audio coverage for professional and college sports organizations, including the Arena Football League, the University of Colorado, Arkansas State University, and Ohio State University. JumpTV's technology reflected the limitations of the period. The service supported Microsoft Windows Media and did not provide official Macintosh support, although some Mac users could access programming through third-party compatibility tools such as Flip4Mac and QuickTime. This platform dependence illustrates the technical environment in which the company operated before the widespread adoption of browser-based adaptive streaming and mobile video applications. The company pursued public-market financing as it developed its network and content business. In August 2006, the Toronto Stock Exchange approved the original listing of more than 42.9 million common shares. In February 2007, JumpTV announced a United States dollar-denominated common-share offering intended to raise capital through the issuance of approximately 13 million shares. JumpTV merged with NeuLion Inc. in June 2008. NeuLion was an internet-protocol television and digital sports-services company founded in 2004, with customers and relationships in sports media, including the National Hockey League and the International Fight League. Following the merger, Charles Wang became chairman of the combined company, G. Scott Paterson became executive vice-chairman, and Nancy Li became chief executive officer and a director. The transaction ended JumpTV's independent corporate existence and placed its online television and sports-streaming capabilities within NeuLion's broader digital media platform.

JumpTV was formed in 2000 in Canada as an internet television company serving audiences interested in programming distributed over the web. Its initial business was constrained by content rights: the company could retransmit foreign and third-language services only where it had secured the appropriate online rights. This rights-led model placed JumpTV between broadcasters seeking additional distribution and audiences looking for international programming that was difficult to obtain through conventional television packages. By June 2005, JumpTV carried roughly 30 television stations and remained a small operation. Its personnel included founder and chief executive Farrel Miller, chief technology officer Dan O'Hara, and technical support manager Mizan Chowdhury. Chairman G. Scott Paterson raised venture capital and backed infrastructure upgrades, reflecting the company's effort to move from a relatively small web-video service toward a larger distribution network. The company expanded its geographic and technical footprint during the mid-2000s. It maintained offices in Canada, the United States, London, Singapore, Colombia, and Dubai. At its peak, JumpTV distributed programming from more than 300 television and radio broadcasters in over 70 countries through its content-delivery network. Its service mix included international television, radio, and specialty programming, while a separate sports division in Sanford, Florida, provided web hosting and live online video or audio services for professional and college sports organizations. JumpTV's sports work included sites for the Arena Football League, the University of Colorado, Arkansas State University, and Ohio State University. These properties combined institutional or league websites with media delivery, a model that anticipated later sports streaming and direct-to-fan platforms. The company also operated within the technical limitations of the era: its principal supported format was Microsoft Windows Media, and it did not officially support Macintosh computers, although some Mac users could view material using compatibility software. To fund expansion, JumpTV entered the public markets. In August 2006, the Toronto Stock Exchange approved the original listing of 42,902,092 common shares. In February 2007, the company announced a US$100 million common-share offering involving 13,043,479 shares. These financing steps were part of a broader attempt to build distribution infrastructure and acquire or support a larger portfolio of online programming. JumpTV's independent corporate history ended in June 2008, when it merged with NeuLion Inc. NeuLion had been founded in 2004 and focused on web-based IPTV services, especially for sports customers. The merged company was chaired by Charles Wang, while G. Scott Paterson became executive vice-chairman and Nancy Li became chief executive officer and a director. The transaction brought JumpTV's international online television and sports-media capabilities into NeuLion's larger digital platform.

• 2008

  Merger with NeuLion

  [1]JumpTVen.wikipedia.org

  JumpTV merges with NeuLion, combining its online television and sports-content activities with NeuLion's IPTV services.

• 2007

  Common-share financing announced

  [1]JumpTVen.wikipedia.org

  JumpTV announces a US$100 million common-share offering involving 13,043,479 shares.

• 2006

  Toronto Stock Exchange listing

  [1]JumpTVen.wikipedia.org

  The Toronto Stock Exchange approves JumpTV's original listing application for 42,902,092 common shares.

• 2005

  Early channel expansion

  [1]JumpTVen.wikipedia.org

  By June, JumpTV has approximately 30 television stations online and a small operating team.

• 2000

  JumpTV is formed

  [1]JumpTVen.wikipedia.org

  JumpTV begins operating as a Canadian internet television company focused on rights-cleared online distribution of foreign and third-language services.

An early internet television and digital-content distributor focused on internationally sourced programming, specialty channels, and sports media delivered through a dedicated online content-delivery network.

• Content-delivery network

  JumpTV CDN

  JumpTV's content-delivery network distributed television and radio programming supplied by broadcasters around the world. At the company's peak, the network carried content from more than 300 broadcasters in over 70 countries, supporting the company's international online distribution model.

• Internet television · 2000

  International online television services

  The core JumpTV offering consisted of web-based access to foreign and third-language television services. Availability depended on JumpTV securing the required internet retransmission rights, making the service a rights-cleared alternative distribution channel for international broadcasters.

• Sports digital media

  Sports websites and live coverage

  JumpTV's sports division hosted official websites for professional and college sports organizations and provided live online video and audio coverage. Reported clients and partners included the Arena Football League, the University of Colorado, Arkansas State University, and Ohio State University.

• 2008

  Merger with NeuLionM&A

  Background

  JumpTV's international online television and sports-media capabilities overlapped with NeuLion's web-based IPTV services for sports customers.

  Action taken

  JumpTV merged with NeuLion in June 2008.

  Aftermath

  JumpTV ceased to operate as an independent company. Charles Wang became chairman of the merged company, G. Scott Paterson became executive vice-chairman, and Nancy Li became chief executive officer and a director.

  Source

• 2007

  Common-share offeringStrategy

  Background

  The company continued investing in its online distribution infrastructure and international content business.

  Action taken

  JumpTV announced a US$100 million common-share offering for 13,043,479 shares.

  Aftermath

  The offering formed part of JumpTV's financing activity before its combination with NeuLion.

  Announced common-share offering. US$100 million offering involving 13,043,479 shares (February 2007)

  Source

• 2006

  Public-market listingStrategy

  Background

  JumpTV sought additional capital and visibility while expanding its online television infrastructure and broadcaster relationships.

  Action taken

  The Toronto Stock Exchange approved the original listing of more than 42.9 million common shares.

  Aftermath

  JumpTV became a publicly listed company before later merging with NeuLion.

  Source

1. 1JumpTVen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Taking TV to The Internetnewsweek.com
3. 3Media tune in to ethnic audiencesusatoday30.usatoday.com
4. 4Iraqi TV shows to hit the Netzdnet.com