Media Center: Press Release
Viasat Selects NDS Progressive Download Technology for Premium HD VOD Service
Highlights:
- Another successful deployment of NDS Progressive Download (PDL) technology
- ViasatOnDemand HD service for Scandinavia was announced March 18
- Agreement extends Viasat’s long-standing relationship with NDS
LONDON, UK – March 24, 2009 - NDS, the leading provider of technology solutions for digital pay-TV, today announced that Viasat, a leading digital satellite pay-TV operator serving Scandinavia and the Baltic region, has extended its long-standing relationship with NDS with the addition of NDS’ Progressive Download (PDL) technology to the ViasatPlusHD hybrid DVR.
The ViasatOnDemand HD service, represents another successful deployment
of NDS’ PDL technology. This premium service offers ViasatPlusHD
subscribers the ability to download a movie or series via their
broadband internet connection to watch immediately or store to
view later. NDS PDL technology delivers uninterrupted viewing by
removing the buffering problems associated with slow broadband
download speeds.
NDS PDL technology offers service providers a cost-effective way
to deliver IP content over lower bandwidth connections while maintaining
a quality of service matching that of traditional VOD. It uses
the available bandwidth to download content to the DVR’s
hard drive; once enough content is cached, then the viewer can
start playback without interruption, and any remaining content
is downloaded in background mode. Progressive Download also reduces
the need for service providers to deploy expensive VOD servers
and the high specification networks normally required for HD content
delivery.
Viasat already relies on NDS VideoGuard® conditional
access (CA), MediaHighway® middleware, XTV™ DVR technology,
and a customised electronic
programme guide (EPG) which supports nine languages to secure
and power its HD pay-TV service. Viasat Broadcasting is the largest
business within Modern Times Group (MTG
AB), an international media group based in Sweden.
Caroline Le Bigot, NDS Senior Vice President, EMEA, said: “Progressive
Download is a critical development for service providers looking
to mirror traditional cable-based VOD service quality cost-effectively
via a broadband internet connection. Viasat is at the forefront
of the HD pay-TV sector in Scandinavia and is another successful
deployment of our PDL technology. NDS and Viasat share a common
commitment to deliver advanced technology and services to our customers,
a major reason why our relationship has continued to flourish.”
Martin Lewerth, CTO of MTG/Viasat Broadcasting, added: “This
latest agreement with NDS to support the launch of our ViasatOnDemand
high definition hybrid platform makes it possible for us to offer
an affordable VOD service to subscribers via a broadband connection.
It represents another key milestone for Viasat and NDS, as we work
together to ensure that Viasat customers receive the most advanced
and exciting viewing experience possible.”
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About Modern Times Group
Modern Times Group is a leading international entertainment broadcasting group
with the second largest geographical broadcast footprint in Europe. MTG’s Viasat
Broadcasting is the largest free-TV and satellite premium pay-TV operator in
Scandinavia and the Baltics, and also operates free-TV channels in the Czech
Republic, Hungary, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Macedonia and Ghana. MTG’s TV
assets are broadcast in a total of 29 countries and reach over 100 million
people. MTG is also the major shareholder in Russia’s largest independent
television broadcaster (CTC Media - NASDAQ: CTCM), and the number one commercial
radio operator in the Nordic and Baltic regions. Modern Times Group MTG AB
class A and B shares are listed on the OMX Nordic Exchange Large Cap market
(‘MTGA’ and ‘MTGB’). For more information on MTG, please
visit www.mtg.se
About NDS
NDS Group Ltd. creates the technologies and applications that
enable pay-TV operators to securely deliver digital content to
TV STBs (set-top boxes), DVRs (digital video recorders), PCs, mobiles
and other multimedia devices. Over 70 of the world’s leading
pay-TV platforms rely on NDS solutions to protect and enhance their
businesses. VideoGuard® is the world’s market-leading
conditional access (CA) and digital rights management (DRM) technology,
currently deployed on more than 99 million active devices, and
safeguarding pay-TV service revenues exceeding $40 billion. NDS
middleware, including MediaHighway® which enables a host of
advanced services for subscribers, has been deployed on 108 million
devices. NDS DVR technology, centred around XTV™, leads the
global industry with 17 million units deployed. (Deployment figures
as of 31st December 2008)
Headquartered in the UK, NDS remains committed to investing in
R&D with over 75% of its employees dedicated to pioneering
work at development centres in China, Denmark, France, India, Israel,
Korea, UK and US. NDS has also implemented a host of initiatives
aimed at reducing its carbon footprint and helping digital TV subscribers
reduce energy consumption.
NDS Group Ltd. is a private company owned by the Permira Funds
and News Corporation. See www.nds.com for
more information.
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