Saffron Digital Provides Cutting-Edge Technology for Development of New NBC Universal International Digital Video Platform
By Saffron Digital, PRNESunday, May 23, 2010
Saffron to Deliver Integrated Video Content for 30 Sites Worldwide Including Syfy Universal and the Universal Channel
LONDON, May 24, 2010 - Saffron Digital, the leading video delivery platform company, has
announced that its video technology will be powering a new video digital
platform developed by NBC Universal International. The video delivery
platform will be used on websites in 20 countries worldwide.
The new platform will extend NBC Universal's premium television
brands online and enrich its broadcast output. Saffron Digital has been an
integral part of the development process in providing the video technology:
its optimised video encoding platform will deliver fully protected content
for the new Universal Networks brands including Syfy Universal (formerly the
Sci Fi Channel), 13th Street Universal, Studio Universal, Diva Universal and
the Universal Channel.
The wholly localised video will be available across the globe in
both Western & Eastern Europe including the UK, Germany, Spain, Russia, and
Portugal, as well as Latin America, South Africa and Asia Pacific.
Episodes of top-rated series such as V and Human Target have been
streamed on the Syfy site (www.syfy.co.uk), and selected content also
features ad-loading, with advertisements integrated in the video stream.
Saffron has implemented a number of administrative features to
make it easier for NBC Universal to access, upload and track the video
content. Tracking enables the company to assess whether people watch video
content all the way through, or whether they pause, skip or fast-forward
through certain sections. NBC Universal is also able to use Saffron's
proprietary multi-device capabilities on other platforms.
Jason Keane, NBC Universal Networks International Vice-President
of Web Businesses, says: "Universal Networks' new digital platform offers our
users a rich interactive experience that complements our TV services, as we
execute on our 360 digital media strategy, driving our TV audiences online so
they can really interact with our brands". Saffron Digital's proven
experience in video delivery has enabled us to provide an outstanding, high
quality service on our sites across the world."
"This is a great start to our relationship with NBC Universal.
This deployment enables NBC Universal to roll out high quality video across
multiple platforms - this web implementation is just the beginning," says
Shashi Fernando, CEO of Saffron Digital.
About Saffron Digital
Saffron Digital is a global video delivery platform company,
whose products and services are live in 22 countries and 14 languages. Its
proprietary technologies, which include the ability to support multi-device
video delivery, superfast encoding and Domain Based DRM, have been integrated
into products by clients including Nokia, Sony Ericsson, LG and Samsung, as
well as services for Sony Pictures, Paramount, 20th Century Fox, Sky, T
Mobile and Vodafone.
Recently, Saffron Digital was named as one of Europe's Top 50
fastest growing digital media companies in the Media Momentum Awards 2010. In
the last two years Saffron Digital has won a Gold Award for Best Product
Technology & Innovation in Visiongain's Mobile Entertainment Awards 2008, and
was named Best Video and TV Service Provider in Mobile Entertainment 2009
awards. The company was also named as one of the UK's top 100 technology and
media companies in the Tech Media Invest Top 100 List in 2009.
About Universal Networks International
Universal Networks International, the global channels division of NBC
Universal, is one of the world's premier entertainment networks, delivering
quality content and compelling brands to over 180 million subscribers in 150
countries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Asia. The
portfolio is spearheaded by five core channels - Syfy Universal, DIVA
Universal, Studio Universal, Universal Channel and 13th Street Universal -
which deliver a full range of entertainment experiences to local audiences
across the globe. Universal Networks International also operates Movies 24,
the (non-US) Hallmark Channel and an interest in the KidsCo joint venture.
Universal Networks International is part of NBC Universal; one of the
world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development,
production and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global
audience. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric and 20% owned by
Vivendi.
Press web site: www.bastion.co.uk
Saffron Digital web site: www.saffrondigital.com
Please add - Christina Erskine, christina at bastion.co.uk, +44(0)20-7421-7600
Tags: London, May 24, Saffron Digital, United Kingdom