In the first deal since it completed the Motorola Home acquisition a year ago, Arris announced Friday that it had bought SeaWell Networks for an undisclosed sum.
Arris said it would be integrating SeaWell’s adaptive bit rate (ABR) technology and “talent” into its Network & Cloud business. Arris’ Peter Burke, senior vice president and general manager, video systems, will lead the combined business under Bruce McClelland, Arris’ president of Network & Cloud. Brian Collie, SeaWell Network’s founder and CEO, will remain with the company and will report to Burke.
The combined portfolio of IP video, multi-screen, and ad insertion products will help spur the growth of next-gen TV and advertising services, according to Arris.
“This acquisition further positions Arris to transform IP video delivery from content creation to consumption,” said Arris CEO and Chairman Bob Stanzione. “SeaWell’s technology and talent impressed our team, and we are excited to do more together. Combining our solutions, technologists and roadmaps promises to accelerate the delivery of the personalized TV and advertising solutions that service providers need and their consumers crave.”
“This acquisition will create new opportunities for our employees, customers and the industry,” Collie said. “This combination will provide the next-gen TV solutions our customers need to more quickly and cost-effectively transition to IP and multi-screen video.”
Prior to the deal, Arris and SeaWell had a working relationship. In October Arris and SeaWell announced that they had collaborated on a targeted advertising platform for multi-screen services.
Last year Columbus International announced it would use SeaWell Networks’ session delivery controller to expand its IPTV service. In November SeaWell announced that Nemont Telephone Cooperative was also a customer.
SeaWell Networks was founded in 2008 by Collie and Robert Myers. In 2010, SeaWell secured $7 million in initial funding with the conversion of seed funding from BDC Venture Capital, Northwater Intellectual Property Fund, and Ontario Centers of Excellence.