mediaClass Announces Growth In Demand For Subscription-Based Services

mediaClass has announced a growth in demand for subscription based services offering video content directly to connected viewers.

Bypassing traditional broadcast and satellite platforms, OTT services are typically streamed over the top – meaning over any internet connection rather than a proprietary network.

"Given the rapid changes in product offerings and market trends, the choice of OTT and streaming technology is absolutely key," said mediaClass EVP Manelli Hosseini. "The established OTT middleware products on the market are incremental improvements and add-ons to older IPTV-based systems. This leaves them with a heavy footprint requiring massive servers which are inefficient and inflexible. Using our detailed knowledge and long experience of TV services to develop a modern, agile architecture and approach, we invested heavily to develop a full product range from scratch. The key parameters for our customer-centric view was to speed up deployment and enable a low-cost legacy IPTV path for service providers and telcos who want to move to a world-class offer which is disruptively affordable. We have developed our own software modules for functions including a content management system, digital rights management and AI recommendation engines as well as CDN and mobile clients.

"The mediaClass engagement model is based on an initial fixed fee which includes all deployment and integration with the option of yearly maintenance and support. Having our own modules means we do not need to charge a licence fee per user, or per STB or per mobile client. 2019 saw the introduction of our new multi-DRM module. Initial DRMs supported are Google Widevine, Microsoft PlayReady and Apple FairPlay. Our OTT/IPTV multiscreen software already integrates with the usual multi-DRM solutions but now includes a zero-extra-cost multi-DRM option."

Exhibiting at IBC, mediaClass announced that it is developing DAIClass dynamic ad insertion for linear channels as an option into its end-to-end OTT multiscreen platform. This allows service providers to target ads on live streams for specific regions or even individual users.

mediaClass also announced Broadcast-Pro, a new version of its end-to-end IPTV/OTT multiscreen platform. Broadcast-Pro is designed specifically for broadcasters and content owners looking to launch an independent TV-everywhere service for their customers.

"We have been inundated by requests for an affordable turnkey solution that offers branded mobile apps and web TV for broadcasters," Manelli Hosseini continued. "Besides their usual local market, many often want to reach a global audience. They have a few channels but also tend to have some VOD content and are looking at other monetisation opportunities through advertising. This differs from our usual customers who are telcom/cable operators or service providers looking for a comprehensive multi-tenant solution with advanced services."

"The challenge was to create a complete product package that keeps costs down and offers advanced functionality in a turnkey solution which fits most requirements," said mediaClass CTO Stilian Tcholakov. "Having our own multi-DRM solution helps massively reduce ownership and implementation costs."

2019 was busy with new developments, product launches and new wins. One key new customer, Argentine telecommunications facilities provider Servicios y Telecomunicaciones SA (SYT) chose a complete mediaClass OTT TV Everywhere solution as the core of a newly launched Rocstar TV Everywhere platform. The system is designed to allow carriers, cable operators and ISPs to offer own-brand TV Everywhere OTT products based on a strong channel line-up and premium content. All functions are provided through an operator-class version of mediaClass software, customised and integrated into servers at SYT's headquarters in Buenos Aires.

www.mediaclass.tv