Akimbo, a new company launched earlier today at DEMO 2004, a conference for Network World Events & Executive Forums, brings a broadband-delivered programming to televisions, giving consumers new channels for high-quality video o­n-demand. Akimbo Service customers will have the unique opportunity to watch the world’s greatest pool players compete for the sport’s most prestigious titles in the comfort of the living room.

Billiard Club television features tournament matches from the sport’s biggest events, including the U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship, the Derby City Classic, the Mosconi Cup and other world-class tournaments. Now, consumers can watch BCtv at their local poolroom or from their living rooms, via the innovative Akimbo Service.

Steve Shannon, a former ReplayTV executive who helped pioneer the digital video recorder (DVR) is Akimbo’s founder and executive vice president of sales and marketing. “Millions of consumers, including billiard fans, are watching video o­n their PCs, even though many of them prefer to actually watch it o­n their TVs,” said Shannon. “Until Akimbo, there hasn’t been a solution for consumers to get this specialty video o­n their TVs. Now, consumers can enjoy videos of their hobbies and interests in their living rooms – whether it’s award-winning documentaries or professional pool tournaments.”

“The Akimbo Service will give consumers access to the best professional tournaments, either in their homes or at the locations where they are play,” said Rob Sykora, President of Billiard Club network. “We’ve been searching for a more effective and targeted method for the distribution to our programming to the club environment and the home market. Akimbo addresses many of the obstacles we face and we’re looking forward to its launch later this year.”  

Availability and PricingThe Akimbo Player is expected to start at $199. The monthly subscription to the Akimbo Service will be $9.99. The Akimbo Service and the Akimbo Player will soon be available for order from Akimbo’s Web site at www.akimbo.com. The Akimbo Player is expected to be in retail stores nationwide in late 2004.

About AkimboAkimbo delivers broadcast-quality video and music programs to any television via a broadband-Internet connection. The Akimbo Service with the Akimbo Player let consumers choose from thousands of hours of programs specifically suited to their tastes, so they can watch them whenever they choose. The Akimbo Player stores 200 hours of video locally that is ready for playback. Akimbo has partnerships with leading providers of specialty video to deliver more than 50 categories of unique entertainment, including themes like health and fitness, sports, education, youth, foreign language, cooking and medicine. With offices in Los Angeles and San Mateo, Calif., Akimbo is a privately held company funded by Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Sprout Group and Zone Ventures. The company is founded and managed by executives from ReplayTV, Macromedia, CNET, mySimon, Microsoft and Apple.

About Billiard Club networkBCn produces and distributes tournament match billiards through cable TV networks, satellite pay-per-view services, international broadcast networks, via video tape and DVD, and o­nline. BCn offers membership services to its viewing customers as well as a network of commercial establishments nationwide. For more information about BCn contact Rob Sykora at 314-631-6500.

Visit InsidePOOL for the latest from the sport of billiards and pool.