Play networks expands digital signage empire

Whita Bizjournals is carrying this article about PlayNetwork, a previously audio-only network provider to retailers, who is beginning to experiment with networked digital signage:

Since its founding nine years ago, PlayNetwork Inc. has provided customized music and some video content to retailers and restaurants. The Redmond-based company selects and provides music meant to encourage customers to linger longer and spend more at stores such as apparel retailer Abercrombie & Fitch and athletic footwear seller The Finish Line.

The company also sells audio-video systems to its customers, pulling in about 60 percent of its revenue through those sales.

Four months ago, PlayNetwork merged with video and digital signage company Crows Nest Entertainment of Seattle. With the new capabilities and customers added by the merger, PlayNetwork expects its video segment to be a major growth engine in the future.

Crow's Nest currently has a very large network of DVD-driven screens, and it is only a matter of time (and money) before they will have to convert those over to a connected network of some sort.