Harvard Plc: Harvard International partners with ANT to deliver technology led STB innovation

Harvard International plc today announced a partnership with ANT, a leading provider of software and services for the delivery of digital TV, to design and develop software for the next generation of set-top box (STB) products. These will provide HD DTR (high definition digital television recorder) functionality and enable the delivery of services that combine digital media with broadband internet access using the ANT Galio Platform.

Following last year’s strategic review, Harvard has been investing heavily in expanding its technical capability in both software and hardware design, and the agreement with ANT further enhances this core development platform.

The partnership will address the growing demand from retailers and consumers, in both the UK and Australia, for branded and own label STBs, which provide access to new HD TV digital services through products which are well designed, easy to use and affordable.

These higher specification, market-leading HD TV products will be launched in the second half of this year. 

Harvard Chief Executive, Mike Ashley, commented: “Harvard’s partnership with ANT is a further step forward in our development of industry leading digital STB’s. We are pleased with the progress made so far and excited by the opportunities that we see ahead for this venture, and others to follow”.

ANT Chief Executive, Simon Woodward, commented: “ANT's unique solution to the TV industry's demand for merged traditional and Internet TV services positions us at the heart of TV industry growth. We are delighted to be working with Harvard in developing a range of high tech, consumer friendly, products which will help redefine the functionality of the STB.” 

About Harvard Plc

Harvard International plc is a leading CE supplier in the UK under its own brands and also own label.  It is also a major CE supplier in Australia. 
 
Harvard produces added value digital media products, including digital SD and HD STBs and DTRs.  
 
In the UK, Harvard is unique in offering a full portfolio of Apple accessories for iPhone, iPod and iPad under the multi award-winning iLuv brand. 
 
Harvard has product development, procurement and logistical operations in the UK, Hong Kong and Shenzhen, China, and a comprehensive UK-based customer care programme ensuring best end-user experience.

Harvard’s shares are listed on the LSE AIM market and more information is available atwww.harvardplc.com.

About ANT
ANT plc (www.antplc.com) develops and deploys embedded software solutions and services for the TV industry. The ANT Galio Suite, a browser, client and applications stack, is an open standards based, flexible application & middleware solution for a wide range of consumer TV platforms. Using its experience of TV, ANT provides powerful solutions to its customers by combining consultancy and engineering services with its highly capable platform products.
  
ANT enables media driven organisations to quickly create and roll-out innovative and successful applications and TV services. Its software is deployed in both operator and free-to-air retail markets. By working with ANT, operators are able to attract new subscribers, reduce churn and increase average revenue per user. Those targeting the retail market are able to differentiate their product range to increase unit sales and generate ongoing revenue opportunities.
 
ANT’s software has been extensively deployed by customers throughout the world including ADB, Amino, Bouygues Telecom, Cisco, Chunghwa Telecom, Coship, HwaCom, France Telecom, Humax, Pirelli, Sagemcom, Samsung, Technicolour, Telecom Italia and YouSee.

ANT plc's shares are listed on AIM, a London Stock Exchange regulated market, under the ticker ANTP (Reuters: ANTP.L, Bloomberg: ANTP.LN).

ANT Press Contacts
Chrissie McGoldrick / Katie Swan 
Speed
Tel: +44 (0)20 7842 3200 
Email: ant@speedcommunications.com