Seven Channels Into Evolution

The Seven Television Network has taken a 12.5 per cent stake in information provider Evolution Technologies to increase the scope of its online and broadband content creation and distribution company, i7.

C7, which produces channels for pay television and forms a large part of
i7’s business portfolio, has gained 20 million shares through the
investment. The company will supply subscription television channels for
distribution by Evolution.

As part of the deal, C7 will initially supply its pay TV sports channel
and up to three additional Olympic Games channels. It is planning further
channels over the next year which will also be distributed by Evolution
Technologies.

Evolution is establishing a high-speed network in home units and cluster
housing capable of delivering Internet and pay television products
requiring significant bandwidth.

The agreement between C7 and Evolution is a key element in i7’s
broadband development plans. It builds on the company’s recent alliance
with Access1 to provide C7 pay television programming for distribution to
computers.

Managing director of i7 Andrew Cohen said the deal represented a
significant step forward in the company’s development. “From next month, i7
will create significant content for the Web,” he said. “However, the
company’s primary focus in the development of content for broadband
delivery – regardless of the platform.”

Over the past six months, i7 has secured similar shareholdings and
partnerships with a number of content creators, including Channel E,
Wemyss, Demand Ventures, Highball, the AFL and News Limited.