NBCU, Sony Make Content King at 2008 CES
By Linda Moss -- Multichannel News, 11/14/2007 2:09:00 AM
New York – Emphasizing the show’s increased focus on digital content and entertainment, the 2008 International CES Tuesday trotted out bigwigs from Sony Pictures Entertainment and NBC Universal Tuesday to talk about their plans for Las Vegas next January.
Both Steve Mosko, president of the indie studio Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Beth Comstock, NBCU’s president of integrated media, appeared at the Consumer Electronics Association’s press preview for its CES show in Manhattan.
Mosko and Comstock elaborated on their compamies’ previously announced roles at the CES, which include Sony Pictures showcasing its entertainment content along with its parent’s electronic products; and NBCU acting as the show’s first broadcast partner.
NBCU entities will be “broadcasting dozens and dozens of hours live from CES,” according to Comstock, with shows such as NBC’s The Today Show, CNBC and the syndicated Access Hollywood on the show floor, along with talent such as Maria Bartiromo and Al Roker.
“The emphasis on digital entertainment at the 2008 CES is huge,” CEA president and CEO Gary Shapiro said.
Mosko said that Sony Entertainment’s participation in the CES, along with parent Sony, “is a very, very important move for us.”
He added, “We’re excited we’re coming to the CES not only as a technology company but as a content company…Frankly, it was about time that our company got together and not displayed its excellence not only in technology but also in programming.”
On Jan. 7 at the CES, Mosko said that Sony will have Jerry Seinfeld in its booth telling jokes; Tony Bennett performing; as well as Drew Carey and Jeopardy! hostAlec Trebeck on site.
“You’re getting the full monty of entertainment from Sony,” Mosko said. “We will be there in force.”
NBCU will have an interactive show floor exhibit, and will put on a range of content from its cable, broadcast and movie operations, on topics that will include entertainment, lifestyle, sports and Olympics, news, business and international, according to Comstock.
“We’re excited to not only bring our content there, but to also use it as a center for us as we broadcast NBC Universal properties from the site of CES,” she said.
The CES, slated for Jan. 7 to 10 in Las Vegas, is expecting more than 140,000 attendees, according to Shapiro. During a briefing on industry trends, the CES reported that U.S. consumer electronics are a $160 billion business now.
On Tuesday, Shapiro also announced that the CES will “go green,” by forming a partnership with Carbonfund.org to reduce the carbon footprint for the event, offsetting the 20,000 tons of carbon generated by the show.
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