Skinkers, communication you can't miss

Livestation, the first open broadcast platform for live TV news, today announced that Chris Cramer, former president and eleven-year veteran of CNN International, has become a strategic advisor to the company.

Cramer joins a Livestation team with extensive experience in broadcast and digital media, including Philip Rowley, former chairman and CEO of AOL Europe and William Cooper, former head of BBC Interactive.

Livestation, which was developed by information broadcast technology leader Skinkers, enables anyone with a broadband connection to watch leading international news channels for free.  The service delivers high-quality streams powered by robust peer-to-peer (P2P) technology, and is designed to meet broadcasters’ needs for lower-cost distribution while honoring copyrights and providing a superior news service.

 “I’m working with Livestation because I believe the technology and platform represent the future of television news consumption,” said Cramer. “Livestation’s ability to provide immediate access to multiple, respected news channels will raise expectations for how consumers receive news. Broadcasters that choose to stream live content will increase their viewership and extend greater value to advertisers.”

“Livestation is compelling for news veterans like Chris because it addresses an unmet need, delivering aggregated global news for immediate access to local coverage of international events,” said Matteo Berlucchi, CEO of Skinkers. “We are developing something completely unique: a free, high-quality platform leveraging proprietary technology that gives viewers access to breaking news as it happens anywhere in the world.”     

Cramer is a highly regarded media executive with more than 40 years experience in news broadcast, cable and online business management, including senior positions at the BBC and CNN. He led CNN’s international media businesses to record growth in distribution, revenue and profits, and has unparalleled expertise in channel and platform start-ups including effective use of new media tools, bi-media and multi-media newsgathering systems and creating practices focused on high quality and affordable global coverage. 

Livestation opened its technical trial in February 2008; users interested in joining the trial can sign up at www.livestation.com

About Livestation
Livestation is aimed at anyone that wants to be able to follow live news coverage from leading broadcasters around the world. While the web increasingly provides a primary source of breaking news, there has so far been no single place to access live television and radio coverage from multiple channels. Livestation is specifically designed to deliver live broadcasts to large audiences over broadband, providing a global platform for coverage of news, sport and events. Users can sign up for the technical trial at the Livestation website.

Livestation has been developed by Skinkers, the market leader in information broadcast technology for the enterprise.