VTR GlobalCom Launches On-Demand Television Service with Solutions from SeaChange International
Liberty Global Broadband Operator Turns to SeaChange for Software, Servers and QAMs
ACTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
One of South America's largest broadband cable television operators, VTR GlobalCom, S.A., has launched Chile's first on-demand service with an end-to-end solution from SeaChange International (NASDAQ: SEAC), including on-demand software, video servers, middleware and network QAMs. VTR, a Liberty Global subsidiary, debuted its "VTR On Demand" Hollywood movies, music videos, karaoke and broadcast programs in December.
VTR goes for software advantages throughout
The operator relies on the SeaChange VOD System, which garners the strategic advantages of the powerful Axiom on-demand infrastructure software. Axiom automatically manages growing content libraries, streaming resources and other critical operations aspects to ensure "always-on" service to millions of television subscribers.
Going beyond offering hit movies on demand, VTR has rolled out SeaChange's Axiom Recording System software to bring subscribers their favorite news, sports, events and other local broadcast and network programming with on-demand convenience. Directly integrated with Axiom, the Recording System automatically captures scheduled shows for immediate on-demand access, while Axiom content management ensures that on-demand libraries are always stocked with fresh broadcast content.
"We're hitting on all our technology and service strengths at VTR," said Yvette Kanouff, SeaChange's chief strategy officer. "Axiom is simplifying and ensuring the business, our servers make way for easy cost efficient growth and the subscriber experience is optimized by our middleware and applications."
VTR plans to take full advantage of VOD's interactive nature, using its network's two-way communication capabilities to deliver new applications to users at the click of a remote control button. The operator sees VOD as only the beginning of many future interactive television services.
SeaChange's VODlink middleware also plays a strategic role at VTR by ensuring the ideal subscriber experience amid rapidly growing content choices. The comprehensive VTR On Demand portal was built with VODlink development tools and provides the unique advantage of SeaChange's "wall of posters" navigation. Other functionality includes content search by actor, title, director and keyword.
VTR is deploying VODlink DVD-on-Demand as well, another one-of-kind application that elevates the on-demand television experience by streaming complete DVDs with all the control and extras that consumers expect. Meanwhile, the patented VODlink Channel Overlay technology will empower VTR to tap into content genre or brand preferences by presenting viewers with direct links to on-demand titles and channels that are relevant to the live broadcast they are watching. Throughout the Americas, SeaChange VODlink is the navigation solution for more than four million two-way set top boxes, spanning high-end to low-end models.
Finally, VTR has tapped SeaChange to deploy Casa C2100 series QAM (quadrature amplitude modulation) edge devices throughout its nationwide network. Casa's extremely compact (1RU) and dense (64 channels) software-based QAMs ensure the optimal use of network bandwidth for on-demand and other digital services in the face of diminishing headend space and increasing operational costs resulting from non-stop integration of new technologies and digital upgrades. Casa products are backed by SeaChange's worldwide customer support team.
A history of partnership and solutions
SeaChange and its regional distributor, VGL, have supported VTR for nearly a decade as the operator has built another critical revenue business, multichannel advertising, and deployed other solutions including broadcast play-to-air systems. Today, VTR is extending its growing analog advertising operation, which currently encompasses 75 channels and 15 headends, with new SeaChange digital advertising insertion software, systems and interconnect gear.
Advanced advertising and on-demand architectures are among the hot topics SeaChange experts will address during Spring 2007 VON conference sessions this week in San Jose. Visit http://www.von.com/.
About VGL
VGL has been involved in the Chilean marketplace for more than 12 years, dedicated to providing digital video and audio solutions and engineering design. Visit www.vgl.cl.
SeaChange in Latin America
MegaCable, Intercable, Tricom, GloboSat and Video Rola are among the many television companies throughout Latin America that rely on SeaChange solutions and services, as well as its extensive network of local distributors and technology partners including VGL.
SeaChange International, Inc. is the leading provider of end-to-end and best-of-breed solutions for the world's growing on-demand and IPTV industry. Its powerful open video on demand and advertising software and scaleable hardware enable broadcast, cable and telco operators to provide new on-demand services and to gain greater efficiencies in advertising and content delivery. With its Emmy Award-winning and patented technology, thousands of SeaChange deployments are helping broadband, broadcast and satellite television companies to streamline operations, expand services and increase revenues. Headquartered in Acton, Massachusetts, SeaChange has product development, support and sales offices around the world. Visit www.schange.com.
Source: SeaChange
Released March 19, 2007