Itochu Cable Systems (ICS) is partnering with Amagi to provide overseas distribution of Japanese TV content.
MSOs have benefited by providing content for defined ethnic communities in their footprints, either broadcasting in heritage languages or sourcing content produced in ancestral countries. The move by ICS should make it easier for international partners to provide Japanese content to Japanese-speaking audiences.
ICS is working with Amagi and with TV networks in Japan to provide them a distribution platform for Japanese content in other countries.
Amagi describes itself as a specialist in cloud-based TV broadcast infrastructure and targeted advertising. The company said it can provide secure, reliable, and flexible channel playout at a fraction of traditional satellite broadcast costs. The company has its own twist on watermarking that includes geolocation.
“Content licensing and distribution across multiple geographies can get quite complex. In Amagi, we have found the perfect content localization platform that can safeguard the interests of Japanese content owners,” said Kenichi Yamagata, general manager, ICS.
“Using Amagi’s localization platform Storm, our customers can now seamlessly insert content for a specific duration on any satellite feed in any country. They can push content to the cloud from a central location and manage playlists as required. This will give us the much needed security, and control on the content that our customers distribute to foreign broadcasters” continued Yamagata.