Satellite : Miniweb

[evd]

An interactive TV platform that developed under the guidance of U.K. satellite TV giant British Sky Broadcasting has won financial backing on this side of the pond.

Miniweb, an interactive company that enables targeted, web-style advertising and interactivity on TV, said it secured access to $32 million in venture capital investment. The funding was lead by Meritage Funds in Denver and DeGeorge Holdings III in Nevada.

Miniweb said its platform provides opportunities to exploit growth for broadband enabled TV services. The service, its backers said, delivers a richer viewing experience by providing personalized and relevant entertainment that enables new revenue streams for network operators, broadcasters, content owners and advertisers.

The company was formed in 2006 when former BSkyB employee Ian Valentine left the satellite TV company's interactive unit and bought its SkyNet and SkyKeys services. BSkyB launched the Miniweb services on its platform in April.