NBC Universal Becomes The First International CES Broadcast Partner

New content developments from major players in the entertainment industry will connect with the latest distribution platforms at the 2008 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), making the trade show the global hub for all that’s new in digital entertainment. The 2008 International CES, the world’s largest trade show for consumer technology, returns to Las Vegas, January 7-10, 2008.

NBC Becomes First Ever Broadcast Partner At CES

As CES’ first-ever “Official Broadcast Partner,” select NBC Universal broadcast and cable entities will be broadcasting live from the CES exhibition floor, covering the many exciting product debuts and special events. In addition, NBC Universal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies, will debut an interactive and multi-faceted show floor exhibition at CES, highlighting the wide range of digital programming produced by its television, cable and motion picture properties.

“The collaborative relationship between consumer technology and the content industry remains stronger than ever, as consumers crave their content and entertainment across multiple platforms, whether it’s in the living room, in the car or on the go,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO for the Consumer Electronics Association, owner and producer of the International CES. “With major content exhibitors, a keynote address from Comcast’s Brian Roberts, Digital Hollywood and dozens of other educational conference sessions and several exciting content attractions, the 2008 International CES is the year’s must-attend event for Hollywood and the content community.”

“For over eighty years, NBC Universal’s powerful storytelling has drawn consumers to the latest and greatest technologies and devices, from radio to television and cable to broadband and mobile,” said Beth Comstock, President, NBC Universal Integrated Media. “We are proud to serve as the first-ever broadcast partner for the International CES, the world’s premier consumer technology trade show, allowing us to showcase how powerful the partnership between quality content and consumer electronics can be.”

Also at the 2008 CES, the Technology & Engineering Emmy Awards will take place for the second year, honoring achievements in two areas: Science & Technology for Television, which includes broadcast, cable and satellite distribution and Advanced Media Technology, which includes interactive television, gaming technology, the Internet, cell phones, private networks and personal media players.

“It has never been more clear that exploding demand for high quality content, of all kinds, on all platforms, is a key factor driving the unprecedented growth in consumer electronics today, ” said Mark Lukasiewicz, Vice President of Digital Media for NBC News and one of NBCU’s project leaders at CES. “Our presence on the CES show floor this year gives us a unique opportunity to show the CE industry the rich content that NBCU has to offer worldwide, and to cover this pivotal industry event for consumer and business audiences on all our platforms.”

This year’s International CES will house more than 175 conference sessions, including various sessions focused on the content and entertainment industry. CES attendees will hear from top industry professionals on emerging trends focused on the latest developments in the content market.