With end users clamoring for more content on different devices throughout their homes, NDS has come up with a platform that melds Web content with video providers’ digital TV services, as well as a new content marketplace that enables special interest TV channels.
NDS’ Service Delivery Platform (SDP) is an application development portal that marries digital TV platforms with over-the-top (OTT) video content. The platform uses an open API that serves as the interface between apps on various devices, a service provider’s TV platform, and social networks or other Internet-based content.
By using a standard Web services interface, TV operators are able to extend their brands to companion and other connected consumer electronics devices in customers’ homes.
“Simultaneous TV and Internet device usage is a growing phenomenon and presents opportunity for pay-TV operators, studios and app developers to create companion content and services. The potential lies in enhancement of the audience experience, the chance to reach the customer outside of the television viewing period, and in providing new avenues for advertiser engagement,” said Adrian Drury, principle analyst at Ovum Media and Broadcast. “The NDS Service Delivery Platform takes an interesting approach to solving both issues. Ovum looks forward to seeing audience response to the first applications that exploit the Web services exposed by SDP.”
Enabling a multi-device ecosystem, the SDP places the TV operator at the core of the multi-screen entertainment experience by using the creative potential of the app developer community facilitated by a fully featured developer portal.
“The NDS SDP enables operators to harness the creativity of the thriving app developer community. The key to the platform is the two-way communications model, enabling not only content on devices, but that crucial link between the device and the operator platform – including the set-top box, so that it becomes a companion to the viewing experience,” said Nigel Smith, vice president and chief marketing officer at NDS. “The SDP fosters a symbiotic relationship that allows operators to drive service adoption through the apps, whilst enabling developers to generate revenue and providing subscribers with an enriched experience.”
SDP works with existing TV platforms and set-top boxes. With the common platform, service providers don’t need to continually integrate their services with new services and devices as they hit the market, which also means a faster turnaround time for offering new services and content.
NDS also announced this morning the launch of its Infinite TV Exchange, which is a global B2B content marketplace and delivery system that brings together service providers and content owners to build special interest channels and expand the operator offering by using OTT delivery.
NDS said it has lined up more than 100,000 hours of content for Infinite TV Exchange from content owners such as National Geographic, Kids Co., Speed, Revision 3, Watch Mojo, and Red Bull Media.
With the exchange, content owners – whether mainstream studios or independent content owners – upload their content to the marketplace. They are then able to create their own channels with the provided tools and use a system that enables the negotiation of contractual and commercial terms with the service provider to be conducted through the online portal.
Service providers are also able to create or select specialized channels built with programming uploaded by the content owners that can be integrated into their existing offering and displayed in the electronic program guide (EPG).
