Irdeto Collaborates with Glocal Media Network on Singapore’s FutureTV Initiative

Thursday, 05 November 2009 12:29

Singapore, 3rd November, 2009 - Irdeto, a leading expert in content and business model protection solutions and services, announced today that it will collaborate with Singapore company, Glocal Media Network, a member of the FutureTV partner network, on a pilot project to create a digital media hub for the FutureTV initiative in Singapore. Under this deal, Irdeto will provide its cutting-edge Content Management Solutions to build the new media project, Glocal TV catering for B-2-C the online platform aggregating Asian broadcast, video and music content, and making it available to businesses and consumers over the Internet and via mobile devices throughout the Asia-Pacific region as well as globally.

The FutureTV initiative was launched by the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) in June this year and is one of the key efforts under the Singapore Media Fusion plan that aims to galvanize the industry to secure a foothold in niche sub-sectors of the emerging new media arena. Through this initiative, MDA formed a FutureTV partner network consisting of local flagship companies such as MediaCorp, StarHub, PGK Media, ServTouch-ETI, Glocal Media Networks, SingTel, EON Reality, and Ufinity to leverage on the capabilities of one another, to shape a new generation of media experiences.

An innovative new media offering developed by Glocal Media Network (“Glocal”), the Glocal TV B-2-C service will promote and sell content sourced from a wide cross-section of professional and semi-professional organizations in Asia-Pacific, including leading broadcasters such as Mediacorp; content producers, music artists and media stakeholders. Irdeto’s has committed to deploying its content management platform with required custom interfaces to ingest, repurpose and publish content from a wide variety of formats to the Glocal TV website. In addition, Irdeto’s Content Management Solutions will enable online content delivery to Glocal TV affiliates and partners in the region, from which consumers will be able to purchase the content for download to their PCs, mobile phones and MP3 players.

“The past 100 years have been all about Hollywood, Hollywood, Hollywood and now it is time for Asian content to make its mark, both locally and across the globe,” said Tom Navasero, Group CEO and Managing Director of Glocal Media Networks. “The partnership with Irdeto and the implementation of their content management solution provides Glocal Singapore with a unique New Media platform to make Asian content available worldwide - as a result we are targeting 20 million subscribers by the end of 2010.”

After the initial 90-day pilot project, the commercial launch is expected at the end of 2009. Irdeto will deploy its Content Management Solutions with modules that include:

* Affiliate Manager to allow regional content producers to submit broadcast video and music content in various formats;

* Publish for automating the end-to-end workflow to transcode the content on popular platforms including PCs, mobile phones and MP3 players;

* Control to create business policies governing the usage of the content and Digital Rights Management (DRM);

* Monetize to manage product pricing, promotions and transaction management, and:

* Reporting to provide usage and consumption data.

“Delivering online content to partners and publishing this content across a variety of devices is frequently complex and time-consuming, however by implementing Irdeto’s Content Management Solutions, Glocal will enjoy the benefits of a highly automated process,” said Bengt Jonsson, Vice President of Asia Sales for Irdeto. “Our expertise in encryption will also ensure that content is fully protected throughout the distribution and publishing process.”

Irdeto’s Content Management Solutions

Irdeto offers a full suite of digital media solutions that enable content owners and distributors to format, process, package, and deliver their content in a single process to streaming, video on demand (VOD), pay per view (PPV), web sites, IPTV and all other digital media platforms. With its flexibility and automatic systems, content owners can drive increased visibility and traffic to their content by providing enhanced branded solutions for affiliates, aggregators, and community sites. This additional presence leads to higher revenue generation, increased viewership and higher retention rates.

About FutureTV

Launched by the Media Development Authority in Singapore in June this year, the FutureTV initiative is a key effort under the Singapore Media Fusion Plan to realize Singapore’s vision of becoming a New Media Digital Hub of Asia. The FutureTV partner network promotes industry collaborations on innovative services in visual media, going beyond the traditional TV screen, and formulating commercial strategies for the regional and global markets. Glocal Media Networks is a founding member of the FutureTV partner network together with Singapore media players Mediacorp, Starhub, PGK Media, ServTouch ETI, SingTel, EON Reality and Ufinity, and with Motorola and Microsoft.

About Glocal Media Network

Glocal Media Networks (GMN) is a global pay-television operator providing niche channels to cable, satellite DTH, IPTV, online and mobile operators worldwide. We are a critical enabler in the international multi-billion dollar pay-television industries of the Next Generation TV (NG-TV). Currently operating 15 full linear television networks in 5 countries. GMN is fully and vertically integrated with full production, distribution and branding capabilities; as well as playout services through its Singapore based Digital Hub facility. GMN is also positioned to grab significant market share in the emerging new media, and pay-TV markets in Asia (internet TV, mobile TV, IPTV and DTH) while simultaneously exploiting the revenue resources of the more mature and traditional cable and satellite TV markets in the West and Asia. In partnership with hundreds of national broadcasters in Asia and China, GMN is enabling their content to reach new global audiences for multiple screens and platforms – most cost effectively. Glocal Media Networks is truly “Glocalizing” Next Generation TV - today.

About Irdeto

Irdeto empowers companies to protect and monetize their digital assets and maximize return on content with innovative and reliable software technologies, content management and distribution solutions and end-to-end solutions and services. The company’s products include conditional access, digital rights management, business support systems and set-top box software solutions. Through group company Cloakware, it provides software and datacenter security solutions, More than 500 customers worldwide trust Irdeto to secure and enable the delivery of their valuable content across digital broadcast, IP, mobile, enterprise and government networks. Irdeto solutions currently enable simple to advanced business models on more than one billion devices and applications.

Founded in 1969, Irdeto employs over 900 people in 25 offices across the globe, including the dual corporate headquarters in Amsterdam and Beijing. The company is a subsidiary of multinational media group Naspers (JSE: NPN), which includes a wide range of pay TV, Internet, instant-messaging, technology and publishing businesses. www.irdeto.com