What’s next for multi-screen?
There’s no denying that multi-network video services are garnering a lot of hype and buzz. This continues to be the overriding theme of the IP&TV World Forum, fueled by competitive video service operators who are eager to enhance ARPU and subscriber loyalty while also luring incremental advertising dollars.
It’s interesting, however, to delve a bit deeper into this trend and explore the “why” behind the multi-screen proliferation and envision what’s next. In our opinion, the “why” is being driven in part by the emergence of new network configurations. In particular, we have recently seen an increase in the number of multi-network deployments featuring DVB + OTT. Operators are using what they already have (their existing DVB network) and simply adding OTT functionality through the consumer’s own broadband connection.
This particular network configuration is also quite accessible. It is no longer an insurmountable technology hurdle for operators to implement an OTT hybrid network unique to their needs. Today, we see more often a business issue on how to develop and protect revenue streams associated with integration of Internet TV offerings within an existing pay-TV value proposition.
As far as what’s next, and our vision of the future, we see many new complementary technologies emerging as OTT content continues its proliferation. These technologies, many of which are centered around Adaptive Rate Streaming (ARS), address the challenges surrounding the deployment of hybrid or multi-network deployments, including managing rights and securing the content bouquet across a multi-screen delivery environment. Choosing the right combination of security solutions is especially critical as they can directly impact the success of new business models, helping reduce piracy and increasing subscriber adoption of new services.
A multi-dimensional security approach is required to address the challenges of this new pay-TV world – secure delivery over multiple networks, support for diverse consumer devices, and a multi-layered ability to detect and combat threats of different kinds. A multi-layered revenue security foundation is vital to optimizing content monetization for different service models, delivery networks and client devices, implementing a single content authority. In our opinion, this type of approach is instrumental for effectively securing the new breed of hybrid networks.
It is also important to note that while there hasn’t been any kind of a “holy grail” security technique or technology found in the last twenty years of digital TV that protects the revenue of service operators across all types of distribution, for all markets and against all threats, there are many robust security solutions on the market today that involve multiple layers of protections.
We are demonstrating Verimatrix’s approach to multi-network security at the IP&TV World Forum in booth #173. Please come and stop by!
Steve Christian has a wealth of experience in the digital media and Internet technology space and is a speaker on media technology and business trends at industry events around the globe At Verimatrix he is responsible for product strategy, marketing programs and management of brand equity. Prior to joining Verimatrix Mr. Christian was VP Marketing at streaming media specialist Nine Systems and has also run his own "virtual VP" technology marketing consultancy, helping the growth of a variety of software, wireless and Internet security ventures. His background includes product and services management at Wind River, ST Microelectronics and Raytheon. Mr. Christian has a 1st class degree in Physics from the University of Bristol and an MBA from the Open University in the UK.
Connect with Videonet
