Widevine Named a Preferred Provider of Streaming and DRM for Samsung Devices

Global agreement makes Widevine’s video optimization and digital rights management available worldwide on connected TVs and Blu-ray players from Samsung

SEATTLE, WA and SEOUL, Korea — Widevine, a provider of digital entertainment solutions, today announced that it has signed a global agreement with Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (Seoul: 005930) to distribute Widevine’s live and on-demand adaptive streaming, virtual DVD-like “trick play” and digital rights management (DRM) on Samsung connected devices. These technologies from Widevine will enable Samsung to support TV Everywhere and over-the-top delivery initiatives from Internet content providers and large cable, satellite and telecommunication companies.

As one of Samsung’s preferred partners, the Widevine client will be shipped on millions of Samsung devices in 2010. Widevine’s DRM and adaptive streaming software is already included in 2009 models of Samsung connected TVs and Blu-ray players shipped in the United States. This agreement enables Samsung to expand distribution on a worldwide basis.

Today consumers can connect to the Internet and access thousands of hours of video content, from the latest blockbuster movies to the most popular television shows, using their TV, Blu-ray player or mobile phone, among other devices. Widevine’s video optimization and DRM technology will ensure consumers using Samsung devices will receive the ultimate viewing experience for both live and on-demand content. Samsung will include Widevine’s adaptive streaming, virtual DVD-like controls and DRM on many of its most popular connected devices.

“Samsung is committed to meeting its customers’ evolving needs in this fast-paced, digital era,” said Yoon-Soon Ahn, vice president of R & D, Samsung. “In order to continue in this tradition, we selected a video optimization and DRM vendor that understood our success in innovation and design in order to develop devices that satisfy our customers’ requirements. We are particularly excited to add Widevine’s live HTTP adaptive streaming technology to our products.”

“Samsung clearly recognizes the value of Widevine’s technology and we are very pleased to be working with such a forward-thinking company,” said Brian Baker, CEO of Widevine. “This agreement further cements Widevine’s position in the digital entertainment ecosystem as one of the leading providers of video optimization and DRM for TV Everywhere and over-the-top initiatives.”

Widevine’s video optimization and DRM technologies are utilized by major Internet content services and large cable, satellite and telecommunication companies launching TV Everywhere strategies. The company’s software platform optimizes the entertainment experience for live and on-demand content delivered over any network to any device. The solution is natively supported in nearly all types of network connected consumer electronics including televisions, Blu-ray players, mobile devices, gaming systems and more.