Waiting for the Millenials: Xbox

An increasing concern for Pay TV operators is the video consumption practices of the youthful sort, the 18-34 year olds, a.k.a Millennials, a.k.a Cord Nevers. This generation of video consumers is far more savvy with far more choices than its predecessors. It's becoming more apparent that Millennials are not going to simply follow the single monthly subscription model that their parents have habituated on. 

 Xbox is having some success reaching this group -- recent statistics from Microsoft reveal that 42% of Xbox Live members stream 30 hours of video monthly.  Xbox live has nearly 50 million subscribers, so this is more than an asterisk on a recent Nielsen report. Microsoft owns the content discovery and navigation experience, displacing the UX of the Pay TV operator, who is relegated to an almost invisible position even as it delivers the entire streaming experience into the ecosystem.  

Pay TV operators have plans of their own, of course. TV Everywhere initiatives are in play, and just last week, TWC indicated that are planning to bring their UX experience to devices such as the Xbox (or Roku, etc) for customers within their service footprint.

DVB RDK at IBC

IBC proved to be a great introduction of RDK to markets beyond the US. Highlighting its ongoing world-wide development efforts, Alticast showed a DVB-RDK solution which attracted attention from European, Middle Eastern and Asian video service providers. This also included satellite providers looking to expand their market reach. There were two well attended RDK special sessions which made it apparent that this open software solution is headed towards global adoption.

CME Will Use Alticast’s Platform for the New Voyo Player, The Pure IP STB, Connected to its Subscription Video-On-Demand Service

September 23, 2013—Seoul, Korea—Alticast, the leader in interactive TV open standard software solutions, and Central European Media Enterprises (CME) have announced that CME’s subscription video-on-demand service, Voyo, will be available on the new Voyo Player STB that will be powered by Alticast’s OTT STB Platform starting in September 2013 in the Czech Republic. The platform will subsequently be deployed in other CME countries.

CME is deploying AltiPlatform™ and AltiView^TM, which allows the broadcaster to launch pure IP STB throughout CME’s markets. AltiPlatform enables the launch of new services with minimal expense and fast time-to-market, while maintaining full compatibility with existing devices, security and networks. AltiPlatform is based upon open standards and can grow to accommodate new requirements, including HTML5 applications, Microsoft Playready DRM, DASH.

“We are very excited to roll-out this amazing full featured consumer experience,” said Claudiu Paraschiv, Head of Technology, CME. “Consumers first want to watch TV but as the market has evolved the demand for interactive services and content is in demand. Alticast has enabled CME to provide the applications and content desired by our subscribers. They have been a great partner in ensuring that we can satisfy our customers’ needs now and in the future.”

Alticast’s AltiPlatform, is a global leading middleware solution for operators and broadcasters. AltiPlatform is used in over 30 million devices worldwide, including set top boxes, smart TVs, mobile phones and portable embedded devices, Blu-Ray Disc players, and personal computers. AltiPlatform supports HbbTV, HTML5, MHP, OCAP (tru2way), BD-J and ensures support of DTV signaling around the world. It supports terrestrial, satellite and cable and has already been deployed in Europe.

“Alticast is very pleased to work with CME and launch this exciting new experience for CME’s subscribers. Alticast will continue to support and develop the exciting applications that enable it to increase subscriber numbers as well as launch new revenue generating services,” said Thomas Jung, CMO, Alticast.

About CME
CME is a media and entertainment company operating leading businesses in six Central and Eastern European markets with an aggregate population of approximately 50 million people. CME broadcasts television channels in Bulgaria (bTV, bTV Cinema, bTV Comedy, bTV Action, bTV Lady and Ring.bg), Croatia (Nova TV, Doma, Nova World and MiniTV), the Czech Republic (TV Nova, Nova Cinema, Nova Sport, Fanda, Smíchov, Telka and MTV Czech), Romania (PRO TV, PRO TV International, Acasa, Acasa Gold, PRO Cinema, Sport.ro, MTV Romania, PRO TV Chisinau and Acasa Moldova), the Slovak Republic (TV Markíza, Doma,  Dajto and Fooor), Slovenia (POP TV, Kanal A, Brio, Oto and Kino). CME also operates Voyo, the pan-regional video-on-demand service. CME is traded on the NASDAQ and the Prague Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “CETV”.

Alticast demonstrate RDK on STMicroelectronics’ Orly SoC at IBC

Seoul, Korea—September 12, 2013--  Alticast,  a worldwide leader in interactive TV open standard software solutions, announced today they will be demonstrating an RDK set-top solution on the Orly (STiH416) SoC platform from STMicroelectronics at IBC in Amsterdam, Netherlands, September 13-17 in the Alticast booth, Hall 1: F36 and ST booth, Hall 1: F40.

Alticast’s integration of RDK software on the ST platform creates a state-of-the-art set-top product.  The Reference Design Kit (RDK) is an integrated software bundle that can be accessed by operators in need of a software stack for set-top devices. Alticast combines standard RDK or DVB RDK with their Application Framework providing operators the flexibility to implement specific content delivery and business solutions. ST’s powerful processor platform along with Alticast’s RDK solution provides a very competitive offering for operators and OEMs.

“Alticast’s software running on the Orly SoC-based high-performance RDK platform provides a compelling solution to OEMs worldwide. We look forward to deploying Alticast’s middleware on Orly and its derivative products,” said Youssef Kamel, Set-Top Box Director Gateway and Client Business, Unified Platform Division, STMicroelectronics.

“This is a very exciting time in the market with RDK revolutionizing the content delivery business. ST’s international footprint allows Alticast’s RDK and DVB RDK solutions to provide customers broader choice worldwide,” stated Thomas Jung, CMO, Alticast, Corp. 

Industry Veteran David Nicholas Joins Alticast

Denver, CO – September 9, 2013 - Alticast, a worldwide leader in deployed interactive television solutions, announced today that David Nicholas has joined the company as Senior Vice President, Sales.  Nicholas brings almost three decades of industry experience to Alticast. David’s most recent position was as Vice President, Sales at iNovo Broadband. 

David has served in executive level positions at Panasonic, BigBand Networks, Symmetricom, N2 Broadband, Concurrent and Phillips Electronics.  Prior to joining iNovo Broadband, he was VP/General Manager, CATV Group at Panasonic, where he was responsible for the refocus and restructuring of the business in the US market.

“Alticast is pleased to have someone with David Nicholas’ insight and experience guiding our North American business activities,“ said Alticast CMO Thomas Jung. “David is well known and respected in our business sector, he will ensure we continue to anticipate, develop and deliver solutions that meet our US and Canadian customers’ revenue and operating goals.”