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Ever read about a live sporting event you attended, realize you missed some of the action, and plan next time on staying home to watch it on television? If Kangaroo Media has its way, that need never happen again. With its Kangaroo TV device, the Montreal-area-based company wants to put the same video, audio and data feeds as the TV broadcast crew has, right into the hands of spectators. As Kangaroo vice-president Alain Charette puts it, “The fan becomes his own producer.”
Who's behind it
Kangaroo TV is the concept of Marc Arseneau, a longtime motorsports fan and amateur race-car driver, who founded Kangaroo Media Inc. in 2001 and remains CEO. The company has agreements with the North American Champ Car series, as well as NASCAR, with a sponsorship by U.S. wireless carrier Sprint Nextel. The deal with Formula One in May (financial terms not disclosed) adds another top sports brand, and marks an expansion into Europe.
Kangaroo Media (TSX: KTV) graduated from the Venture Exchange in April, just before reporting 2005 revenue of $1.2 million, but with $12.6 million in back orders. Sales in the first quarter rose to $3 million.
Who's using it
The KTV IVT-200 device is now used across North America at Champ Car events, including the Toronto and Montreal stops this year. At NASCAR, it's known as the NASCAR Nextel FanView, available for purchase or on-site rental (US$50 per day). In May, KTV signed a deal with Formula One. The F1 debut is the U.S. Grand Prix, July 2 in Indianapolis, and other races in 2007.
What's next? KTV has met with the pro golfers' association, International Olympics Committee, and conducted trials at an NFL game. Negotiations are complicated, says Charette, because it's a new licensing category. But, he says, “the leagues perceive this will help them leverage relationships with sponsors.”
