HAUPPAUGE, N.Y. and
FOSTER CITY, Calif., Nov. 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- VOXX
International Corporation (NASDAQ: VOXX), is pleased to announce
that its wholly-owned subsidiary, VOXXHirschmann, has formed a
strategic partnership with Sling Media, Inc., a wholly-owned
subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS). The partnership
will allow VOXXHirschmann to integrate a customized vehicle
specific version of the Slingplayer app into its OEM designed
rear-seat entertainment and vehicle connectivity line of products.
This integration will give Slingbox owners the ability to watch
live or recorded programming from their home cable or satellite TV
subscription directly in the vehicle.
Under the terms of the agreement, VOXXHirschmann will become the
exclusive automotive supplier of the Slingbox/Slingplayer solution
operating in any vehicle entertainment sub system on a worldwide
basis. This exciting business partnership aims to provide consumers
with their full, at home television experience in any motor
vehicle. Access to live TV, on-demand services and DVR content from
a consumer's set top box has to date been limited to desktop and
portable devices. This partnership is the first of its kind for the
automotive market and VOXX will leverage its innovative and
proprietary entertainment product offerings to deliver a TV
experience like never before.
The two companies will be working jointly to integrate the
Slingbox technology including software and various applications
into its new, Evolution Series (EVO) Rear Seat Infotainment family
currently under development. The EVO system would contain the
"connectivity smarts" of the entire system including the embedded
Slingplayer app and will stream multiple types of media content
wirelessly and/or wired to display monitors in the vehicle
inclusive of BYOD. The EVO series with Slingbox integration will be
available in all rear seat entertainment form factors including
customized headrest systems, seat back mounted displays or overhead
flip down monitors. Additionally, consumers will have the
ability to access content from any portable device brought into the
vehicle and then stream directly to the installed monitors through
multiple wired or wireless connectivity options. The Company
expects to have the new EVO product for OEMs, integrating Slingbox
technology within a 12-18 month period.
Furthermore, the companies will also be working to integrate
Slingbox technology into their embedded tuner modules or
intelligent antenna systems, which when complete, will be
integrated directly into the vehicle at the factory level as a
Tier1 or Tier2 automotive OEM production offering.
Pat Lavelle, VOXX International's
President and CEO stated, "We are very excited with this
partnership as it represents another first-to-market for our
company and holds significant potential for our Automotive OEM
group. One of the most compelling factors behind our acquisition of
Hirschmann was the development of new technologies within their
mobile multimedia tuners and intelligent antennas combined with our
advanced North American Rear Seat Infotainment systems. We are
positioned to bring to market connected solutions for OEMs that
will provide true competitive differentiation. This is yet another
example of our leadership position in the OEM category and while
revenues may be 1-2 years away, we are confident that the exclusive
addition of Slingbox technology to our offering will help us grow
our top-line and expand our business within the global OEM
marketplace."
"Sling Media's Slingbox technology delivers the ultimate TV
Anywhere experience on the most devices with no monthly fees and
our partnership with VOXX further expands our reach, this time into
the back seats of automobiles," said Michael Hawkey, senior vice president and
general manager of Sling Media, Inc. "Integrating the Slingbox
experience into the EVO Series Rear Seat Infotainment family will
make watching live and recorded programming simple and enjoyable
for customers, while providing more value for VOXX's automotive OEM
partners at the same time."
VOXX International will be showcasing this solution at their
booth at the 2015 International Consumer Electronics Show in
Las Vegas, NV (January 6-9, 2015 – Central Hall – Booth
#10417).
About Sling Media
Sling Media, a wholly-owned
subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation, is a leading provider of
Multiscreen Smart TV solutions for consumers and television service
providers. Lead by its Slingbox product family, Sling Media
provides the complete award-winning solution of hardware, cloud
services and applications that gives consumers the freedom to
discover, control and consume their live TV and DVR content
anywhere in the world, on their preferred tablet, phone and
computing platform. Sling Media's patented TV solutions are
available directly to consumers or through service providers that
have embedded Sling's capabilities. For more information, please
visit slingbox.com.
About VOXX International Corporation
VOXX
International Corporation (NASDAQ:VOXX), formerly Audiovox
Corporation, was formed over 45 years ago and has grown into a
worldwide leader in many automotive and consumer electronics and
accessories categories, as well as premium high-end audio.
Through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, VOXX International
proudly is recognized as the #1 premium loudspeaker company in the
world, and has #1 market positions in automotive video
entertainment and remote starts, digital TV tuners and digital
antennas. The Company's brands also hold #1 market share for
TV remote controls and reception products and leading market
positions across a wide-spectrum of other consumer and automotive
segments.
Today, VOXX International Corporation is a global company, with
an extensive distribution network that includes power retailers,
mass merchandisers, 12-volt specialists and most of the world's
leading automotive manufacturers. The Company has an
international footprint in Europe,
Asia, Mexico and South
America, and a growing portfolio, which now comprises over
30 trusted brands. Among the key domestic brands are Klipsch®,
RCA®, Invision®, Jensen®, Audiovox®, Terk®, Acoustic Research®,
Advent®, Code Alarm®, CarLink®, 808®, AR for Her®, and Prestige®.
International brands include Hirschmann Car Communication®,
Klipsch®, Jamo®, Energy®, Mirage®, Mac Audio®, Magnat®, Heco®,
Schwaiger®, Oehlbach® and Incaar™. The Company continues to
drive innovation throughout all of its subsidiaries, and maintains
its commitment to exceeding the needs of the consumers it serves.
For additional information, please visit our Web site at
www.voxxintl.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
Except for historical
information contained herein, statements made in this release that
would constitute forward-looking statements may involve certain
risks and uncertainties. All forward-looking statements made in
this release are based on currently available information and the
Company assumes no responsibility to update any such
forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others,
may cause actual results to differ materially from the results
suggested in the forward-looking statements. The factors include,
but are not limited to risks that may result from changes in the
Company's business operations; our ability to keep pace with
technological advances; significant competition in the automotive,
premium audio and consumer accessories businesses; our
relationships with key suppliers and customers; quality and
consumer acceptance of newly introduced products; market
volatility; non-availability of product; excess inventory; price
and product competition; new product introductions; foreign
currency fluctuations and concerns regarding the European debt
crisis; restrictive debt covenants; the possibility that the review
of our prior filings by the SEC may result in changes to our
financial statements; and the possibility that stockholders or
regulatory authorities may initiate proceedings against VOXX
International Corporation and/or our officers and directors as a
result of any restatements. Risk factors associated with our
business, including some of the facts set forth herein, are
detailed in the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
February 28, 2014.
Company Contacts:
VOXX
Glenn Wiener, President
GW Communications
Tel: 212-786-6011
Email: gwiener@GWCco.com
Sling Media, Inc.
Brian Jaquet
Tel: 415-235-4844
Email: brian.jaquet@slingmedia.com
SOURCE VOXX International Corporation