Ant (LON:ANTP), the AIM listed technology business that develops software and services for the TV industry, reported this morning that its ANT Galio platform now supports BBC iPlayer. The move is important to ANT because it means its flagship software, which can be used on any TV, can now do even more for set-top box and connected TV manufacturers that are striving to deliver more PC style catch-up video services.
By supporting web based video services on any traditional mainstream TV device, the ANT Galio platform delivers a seamless user experience which allows consumers to access on-demand content as an integral part of their main TV experience without the need to move to a PC. Galio provides device manufacturers targeting the large mainstream UK TV market with a platform that they can trust to deliver an exceptional consumer experience.
Galio has been widely deployed and continues to be selected by the TV industry's leading device manufacturers for use in all mainstream TV markets; its flexibility enables the rapid development and deployment of a wide range of new web-based services. By adding such new functionality ANT continues to strengthen its global market leading position as a rapid time-to-market solution provider.
Simon Woodward, the chief executive of ANT, said: “In addition to the excellent TV and radio programmes available on the BBC iPlayer, one of the key drivers for its success on the PC is its simple design, layout and navigation which make it incredibly easy to use; we have ensured that this is maintained through ANT Galio Platform's support for BBC iPlayer on TV. ANT is committed to giving consumers greater choice and improving the TV experience.”
Shares in ANT have slid from 45p to 23p over the course of the last 12 months and were unmoved on today’s news. In its results for the six months to June 30, the company reported flat revenues of £2.1m and pre-tax losses of £0.5m against £0.8m previously. At the time the company said it was continuing to build strong relationships with leading players in the global digital TV market with device manufacturers, operators, broadcasters and semiconductor vendors which it said “bodes well for entry into additional markets in the future”.
I've held ANT fora year or so thinking that they may raise turnover sufficiently to move the company from loss into profit - usually a sweetsport for a small cap.
However, they don't seem to be gaining much in the way of traction and Google have now joined the party as TV sems to be merging with the web in terms of delivering "content" to users.
I guess I'm a weak holder of the stock, but wil probably dump them if things don't improve soon. The latest management statement mentions diworsification - hardly a plus point either IMHO.
Jim
