Local Isle of Wight news headlines, as well as information on sailing conditions, weather, and advertising, is broadcast live to the masses, courtesy of the iZone network.

Visitors to Cowes Week will be able to watch Isle of Wight news and action live from each day’s sailing on HD screens stationed throughout Cowes.

The initial network rollout will consists of 12 HD screens, one screen is placed outdoors at the town’s main marina, Cowes Yacht Haven, while others are deployed in the town’s most popular pubs.

Unlike most digital signage installations, which exclusively display advertising messages, the iZone network broadcasts useful editorial content, as well as advertising.

Using a multiple-region format for the screens, the network broadcasts live and recorded HD sailing video footage produced by The Knowledge Zone (TKZ); current sailing conditions on the Solent, the area of water between southern England and the Isle of Wight made tricky by strong double tides; weather reports and forecasts; tide information; and scrolling news headlines provided by major news sources and TKZ’s Cowes Online web site.

The system, is networked by wireless technology of which Dynamax Technologies and Solutions Inc collaborated together to bring the network online by July 31st.

Steve Sleight, managing editor of The Knowledge Zone said:

“The introduction of iZone is the next logical step for The Knowledge Zone in significantly expanding the reach and distribution of our sailing and boating content to a much broader and more engaged target audience,” 

“Digital out-of-home media networks, such as iZone, are important components of our content creation and distribution strategy, and offer tremendous opportunities worldwide to deliver rich, compelling, and useful information, as well as powerful advertising from our marketing partners.”

In the future, the new network will enable TKZ to deliver live content directly from the water to the shoreside audience, who, in previous years, has not been able to get close to the action on the race course.

Additional plans include extending the network of screens operated by TKZ to other locations throughout the Isle of Wight and onto the U.K. mainland, and the development of a mobile network to provide real-time race updates, live video, and information to mobile devices.

The Knowledge Zone (TKZ) is one of a new breed of digital publishers focused on delivering high-quality content on specific topics to targeted audiences through whichever media they prefer.

The company specializes in the development, production, and distribution of multimedia content aimed at yachting, boating, and leisure sailing enthusiasts.  Its print properties include the world best-selling Complete Sailing Manual, the Royal Yachting Association’s flagship book, Start Sailing; and the Cowes Port Handbook, an annual guide to the U.K.’s sailing and boating playground.

In the online realm, TKZ publishes Cowes Online  the official Web site of Cowes, and its rich media section Cowes TV which offers live and on-demand video streams of all sailing competitions staged throughout the year in the town. For more information  click here: 

Related Links: County Press goes live in Cowes