The Blade and Buckeye CableSystem announce Buckeye1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Keith Wilkowski
Office - 419-724-7276
Mobile - 419-277-6006
[email protected]
The Blade and Buckeye CableSystem announce Buckeye1 – an innovative multimedia experience on iPad
Imagine having access and control to everything important in your life on an iPad: your favorite movie when you need to escape; your newspaper before the sun is even up; your daughter’s softball game when work keeps you away.
Say hello to Buckeye1. Only Buckeye1 gives you an iPad pre-loaded with local news, sports, TV Everywhere, and home automation, all fueled by the fastest residential Internet connection in the area, making it available whenever and wherever you want.
Block Communications, Inc. (BCI) announces a collaborative effort among its subsidiaries -- The Blade, Buckeye CableSystem, Buckeye Telesystem and BCSN (Buckeye CableSystem Sports Network) -- to deliver a fully integrated multimedia experience, preloaded on an iPad, with a 50MB residential Internet connection. The solution combines some of the most popular consumer applications across the BCI companies and comes with Buckeye CableSystem’s fastest Internet speed.
“In the competitive world of high speed Internet, The Blade and Buckeye CableSystem are uniquely positioned to add local value,” says Jeff Abbas, president of Buckeye CableSystem. “Our companies are the first in the country to combine local live television, the local daily newspaper through Blade All Access, and control of your home’s technology as a single product on an iPad -- and we’re doing it at a price that makes the experience very accessible and highly competitive.”
Buckeye1 will be available as a 50MB Internet solution starting at a retail price of $80 per month.
Commenting on how digital technology is transforming media and consumer demand, Allan Block, chairman of the board of BCI, says, “We always strive to distinguish ourselves through superior local customer service. As the print and television industries transform, we’ve innovated to deliver best-in-class user experiences in the digital world. Buckeye1 brings all these together on an iPad, the tablet device that also leads in consumer choice.”
Buckeye1 is much more than a digital newspaper on an iPad. The Blade, presented through a new app for iPad, replicates the traditional newspaper experience. Besides enhancements such as video imbedded in news articles and navigation tools to sections of the publication, readers will notice the entire print edition has been exactly reproduced, including advertising. The Blade All Access also includes the newspaper’s Web site, mobile apps and Sunday Home Delivery for Buckeye1 customers who are new to The Blade home delivery.
“Delivering a digital newspaper in the same format as the printed product creates a familiar experience to the reader, while exploiting the benefits of technology to update content more readily. Delivery on the iPad makes the experience truly remarkable,” said Brad Vriezelaar, director of new media at The Blade.
Buckeye1 will also provision the iPad to receive BCSN’s online television experience, Watch BCSN.
“Watch BCSN has traditionally only been distributed to customers who subscribe to both Internet and cable television, but it will now be available to Buckeye1 customers irrespective of their other services,” says Steve Piller, vice president of local stations at BCI. “As video consumption moves to phones and tablets, we saw an opportunity to deliver local content as part of a fully-featured Internet offering and fulfill our customers’ desire for online television,” continues Piller.
Buckeye1 will come preloaded with apps to power Buckeye Home Security, Buckeye Digital Television and other features to control Buckeye Internet, Phone and Television products. In addition, local apps will allow Toledo businesses and institutions to provide enhanced customer experiences, such as ordering pizza or downloading museum audio tours.
Buckeye1 is expected to be available in areas served by The Blade and Buckeye CableSystem as early as September 15. Over the coming year, BCI plans to further improve the product with more user applications tied to content and asset management, home control and new media experiences. Future upgrades will be made available to all Buckeye1 customers as they are delivered to market.
“It’s gratifying to witness the creativity our traditional companies have contributed to a single innovative user experience,” continues Allan Block. “To think this has happened in our hometown of Toledo makes me extremely proud for our people and optimistic for our community’s place as a technology leader.”
About BCI
Block Communications, Inc., (BCI) is a 114-year-old privately held diversified media holding company headquartered in Toledo, Ohio. It has primary operations in Cable Television, Newspaper Publishing, High-speed Internet, Television Broadcasting and Residential Telephone services.
About The Blade
The Blade was founded in 1835 and is Toledo, Ohio’s oldest continuing family-owned business. The newspaper launched its Web site, Toledoblade.com, in 1997. In 2004, it was awarded the Pulitzer Prize. Today, it is owned by the Block Family of Block Communications, Inc. and has circulation in 14 counties of northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. The Blade publishes daily and, in an era of declining newspaper subscriptions, is read by 47 percent of Toledo-area adults – the fifth-highest newspaper readership in the United States.
About BCS
Buckeye Cablevision, Inc., known as Buckeye CableSystem®, is the largest cable firm operating in the Toledo, Ohio area, with customers in Toledo and Sandusky, Ohio, and communities in Southeast Michigan. Buckeye CableSystem is among the 25 largest cable operators in the United States. Founded in 1965, Buckeye is the second oldest continuously-owned large-city cable system in the US. The company offers digital cable TV, high-speed Internet and residential phone in various a la carte and bundled service levels. Buckeye CableSystem also offers home security services. Buckeye CableSystem‘s tiered high-speed Internet service is available in seven speed plans up to 110 Mbps. Buckeye Cablevision, Inc.is a wholly owned subsidiary of Block Communications, Inc., headquartered in Toledo, Ohio.
About BCSN
BCSN is a locally produced sports channel with a full focus on the Toledo area, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. BCSN reports on sports played by local athletes, covered by local professionals, and enjoyed by local fans. BCSN is seen exclusively on Buckeye CableSystem. BCSN went live on January 7, 2004. Since then, mobile production units and crews have traveled the city and state to bring the big game to the fans at home. In addition to high school and collegiate athletics, BCSN is the television home for the Toledo Mud Hens, the Triple-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, and the Toledo Walleye, the ECHL affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks.
Press Release Contact Name: Keith Wilkowski
Press Release Contact Email: [email protected]
Organization Name: Buckeye CableSystem
Organization Address: Toledo, OH