The three-component ACT suite includes original programming from around the world, featuring original art and artists, unique culture programs and spectacular travel scenery from all points of the globe. The ACT series is designed to stimulate the senses, encourage global and cultural understanding, as well as document the disappearing natural wonders of our planet—from the canals of Venice to the Serengeti plains to the world’s rain forests. ACT’s original content is produced by some of the leading HD production companies from around the world, including Red Bull Media House, The Window Channel, Third Planet Productions and Living Landscapes.

“As a leading provider of IPTV services to the hospitality industry, Guest-Tek provides an ideal distribution path for our suite of HD quality video programming,” stated James Condon, Managing Partner at Blue Pond Media. “The ACT line-up (Art-Culture-Travel) was specifically programmed to appeal to the culturally sensitive hotel guest.”

“Our hospitality clients are always asking us for unique, HD content that can give them a unique point of difference from their competitors; the programming selection and quality offered by Blue Pond Media is unmatched in the market today,” stated Brian Holst, Director of Project Management. “We are very excited to be working with Blue Pond Media to bring a comprehensive programming package to our IPTV clients.”

VIEW PRESS RELEASE

This spectacular collection of engaging imagery was specifically developed to offer the hospitality industry totally unique content-most of which has never before been offered in North America. With clarity so defined and original video so captivating, it’s almost as if the viewer is immersed into the actual viewer is immersed into the actual sensation of what it’s like to fly over a castle in Germany. Take a gondola trip through a Venice canal. Even tour a world-class art museum, where original works of art digitally come to life. A.C.T. offers access to hundreds of hours of original programming from libraries around the world that house some of the highest-quality programming ever produced.

The ACT offerings are organized by theme, category and demographic tastes, making it easy for IPTV networks and hospitality IP executives to select original HD content appealing to their customers. This original video programming is delivered to the hospitality industry at a cost far below traditional network and cable TV offerings. ACT provides hotel brands the unique positioning opportunity to provide superb-quality original in-room and public entertainment with minimal impact to the bottom line. Blue Pond Media’s vast program offering has been assembled from its global affiliate partners, including some of the leading creators of HD content, such as Red Bull Media House, The Window Channel, Servus TV, Third Planet/Living Temples and HD Environments

ACT will be previewed at the Guest-Tek booth (#548) as well as several display partners. http://bluepondmedia.com/ACT.html

Blue Pond Media and Endavo Media have executed a content agreement to provide The Window Channel’s Ventana Series of original HD video programming to support use of Endavo’s OTT Video Services Platform for distribution of premium video services by its global telco TV partners.

The content agreement with Endavo greatly expands Blue Pond Media’s multi-platform solution to distribute first-class video with in-depth stories to regional and national telco networks throughout the world. At the same time, the agreement provides Endavo Media with access to a library of unique, high-quality video programming that will enhance their content syndication to telco clients.

“With the addition of this strategic relationship, Blue Pond Media will extend the reach of its vast array of high-quality video programming for Endavo’s OTT Video Services Platform, while at the same time assist in delivering a better video experience to potentially millions of telco subscribers.” stated James Condon, managing partner of Blue Pond Media. “Our content is engaging, unique in the market today and appeals to a wide demographic of viewers.”

“We have an increasing demand for high-quality content of all genres – lifestyle, travel, nature, food, entertainment and others – to support telco’s use of our Platform for global OTT distribution. The content from Blue Pond fills a significant niche for us,” said Peter Contardo, EVP and chief marketing officer for Endavo Media.

NCL Epic Stateroom

Passengers on the newest and largest NCL luxury cruise ship the Norwegian Epic are enjoying a new on-board experience, The Window Channel. Since launching in 2010 the number of passenger views has grown at an annual rate of over 200%. Passenger comments have been extremely positive, making The Window Channel a popular on-board experience. We have heard from happy cruise passengers from as far away as Belgium who want to experience The Window Channel at home. Programming for NCL is distributed by On-Board Movies, a division of Swank Motion Pictures, Inc. of St. Louis, MO.

Ventana now showing at Stanford Hospital

When a patient checks in to Stanford Hospital from now on, the room wall will have an extra special something. Most hospitals have had televisions in patient rooms for decades. But few now have what Stanford offers its patients on new, 26-inch high definition monitors. The Stanford At Your Service (SAYS) system will, of course, offer the latest movies and entertainment selections and specialty channels like ESPN and the Food Network. It also has special bells and whistles: updated health information and a new patient favorite: THE WINDOW CHANNEL, which displays hand-selected videos of a dreamy beach sunset on the Sea of Cortez or a Costa Rican rainforest. “they will not be able to order bacon!” Those are viewing choices that can relax, educate and entertain. SAYS has one more amenity, a patient communication tool designed to make their stay more comfortable. If a patient answers “no” to any one of a list of seven questions about care, displayed on the monitor, that response is quickly relayed so something can be done right away, even if that something is a wastebasket that needs emptied or fresh towels supplied.

I ran into this appreciation this morning when, after rushing out the door to get to a quick appointment before I needed to be at my desk, I didn’t even realize what a beautiful day it was outside until the woman making my mid-morning iced tea asked, “Are you enjoying the sun today?”

It’s just so easy to get preoccupied racing from Point A to Point B and trying to squeeze in Point C and D along the way that we can sometimes forget to enjoy the day and our surroundings.

So wherever you are today, take a break and go explore. Find a place to sit and just be (preferably in the shade in some areas and be sure to turn off that phone…). Then simply take in your surroundings. What would you film if you were a videographer for The Window Channel?

Where do you find Zen during your busy day? Let us know in the comments or add a picture of your Zen in The City moment to our Facebook page.

Luckily for me, I walked to a great coffee shop near my office with a wonderful view during my lunch today:

To watch The Windy City on your TV in full HD. Go to Comcast OnDemand (channel 100 or or channel 1), and in the “Get Local” folder select The Window Channel.

• Expedition – tour of scenes from around the world including the Ice and Snow Festival in China to the Panama Canal to Tumalo Falls in Oregon.
• Caribbean – relax at the most beautiful beaches in the world in St. John, Aruba and The Bahamas.
• Rocky Beaches (ends next week) – visit rustic beaches in Mexico, Hawaii and Brazil.

This video of  Asilomar Beach is just one scene from Rocky Beaches programming. Asilomar Beach is located on the Monterey Peninsula in Pacific Grove, California. Visitors to this beach stroll coast trail walks and explore a natural dune preserve.

Watch at home in full HD. Go to Comcast OnDemand (channel 100 or or channel 1), and in the “Get Local” folder select The Window Channel.

Here’s a clip of sunset at Trunk Bay. Trunk Bay located in St. John in the United States Virgin Islands is consistently recognized as on of the best beaches in the world by many such as Condé Nast Traveler magazine and the National Geographic Society.

To watch in full HD from your television at home, go to Comcast OnDemand (channel 100 or or channel 1), and in the “Get Local” folder select The Window Channel.