BERGEN NORWAY - Vizrt Ltd. (www.vizrt.com) has announced plans to acquire the privately-held UK-based Curious Software Company Ltd. The companies entered into a Letter of Intent earlier this year in which Vizrt agreed to purchase all assets of Curious Software.
Vizrt is a leading provider of realtime 2D and true 3D broadcast graphics. The company's software suite offers character generation, content management and newsroom integration, 3D tickers, virtual studio, weather data integration, virtual sports analysis, information display and virtual effects. Curious Software has developed and licensed World Maps to approximately 500 customers, including 185 broadcasters in the US. The company employs 13 people and its revenues for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2004 were $2.1 million.
"Maps are a requirement for broadcasters all over the world; they are fundamental content to the reporting of news and weather. Therefore, it is essential for a graphics company like Vizrt to be able to offer the best product in the market to our clients," said Bjarne Berg, president/CEO of Vizrt. "By joining forces and integrating Curious World Maps with the viz|engine, broadcasters will be presented with a map solution that will enable them to produce maps faster, with a better look and with less effort. Furthermore, Curious World Maps will be integrated with other solutions from Vizrt such as viz|trio and viz|weather, allowing broadcasters to better leverage their technology investments."