Sasktel went back to Widevine Technologies for content security for a newly-launched, IP-based HDTV service. Last year, SaskTel contracted with Widevine to provide security for its video-on-demand (VOD) service.
SaskTel is offering 27 HD channels, including sports, news and movies from Warner Bros. International, Paramount, NBC Universal, Twentieth Century Fox and Sony Pictures. SaskTel said its ability to sign long-term contracts with the studios was predicated on its relationship with Widevine.
“To acquire the highest quality and earliest release windows for our HDTV service, SaskTel had to demonstrate we had the content security to persistently encrypt SD & HD content throughout the entire video distribution chain,” SaskTel President and CEO Robert Watson said. “We chose Widevine because they are highly regarded by Hollywood for HD content protection and are the only company that could scale to the numbers of subscribers we need to support. Additionally, Widevine meets our emerging needs to expand the secure delivery of content to the PC and mobile video platforms.”
SaskTel’s Max service is based on Alcatel’s iMagic middleware platform, Motorola’s VIP 1200 HD/H.264 set-top box and Kasenna Inc.’s MediaBase media streaming and distribution platform.
SaskTel said it will invest more than $310 million over the next five years to bring fiber optic cable closer to the home.