Irdeto Secures Long-Term Content Security Contract with Österreichische Rundfunksender (ORS)

Austrian broadcasting service provider selects Irdeto as its content security vendor of choice through a multi-year conditional access (CA) deal

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA — NAB 2008 — Irdeto, a leading expert in content and business model protection solutions and services, today announced a multi-year conditional access (CA) contract with Österreichische Rundfunksender (ORS) to protect the Austrian national broadcaster’s satellite broadcast network with the Irdeto Digital TV content security solution.

ORS uses CA to ensure its German-language content is not freely available outside of Austria, thereby complying with content provider requirements. In addition, ORS recently opened its platform to Germany’s Premiere so that Austrian customers who already have an Irdeto CryptoWorks smart card can get access to Premiere’s premium paid content as well.

ORS originally signed a CA agreement with Philips CryptoWorks in 2003. Irdeto then acquired the CryptoWorks business from Philips in 2006, and is now providing ORS with a managed migration path to its own CA solution. The migration includes a gradual swap of more than two million smart cards deployed across the ORS network. Irdeto will also supply ORS with subsequent product generations and upgrades through 2018.

“The multi-year ORS deal validates Irdeto’s robust CA technology and successful security strategy, as well as our leading position in the digital content security market,” said Graham Kill, CEO of Irdeto. “The deal not only allows ORS to continue to enforce controlled distribution of its content, but opens up the Austrian market to new pay services like those being offered by Premiere.

The growth of the ORS digital TV network is driven by the current analog-to-digital switch in Austria, as well as the Austrian public’s demand for additional digital TV services and programming options. ORS plans to launch gradually a full compliment of digital TV services using the Irdeto CA solution, including the introduction of high-definition (HD) programming in 2008.

“ORS and Irdeto have formed a strong relationship over the past five years, leaving us with full confidence in Irdeto’s content protection strategies and CA technologies,” said Michael Wagenhofer, ORS managing director. “The migration to the new Irdeto system was the clear choice to expand our digital TV services and functionality under a proven security platform and trusted partner.”

ORS is a national Austrian broadcaster offering direct-to-home (DTH) services via satellite and DVB-T networks. ORS programming includes the popular ORF1 and ORF2 channels, as well as multiple premium pay-TV services. The company is also currently conducting a mobile TV trial in Austria running over a DVB-H network.

Irdeto will be exhibiting at NAB 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, April 14-17th. Please visit booth #SU8811 to view live demonstrations and to meet with an Irdeto representative.