NDS Secures Sky Deutschland CI+ Modules

LONDON — NDS Group, the leading provider of technology solutions for digital pay-TV, today announced that Sky Deutschland (XETRA: SKYD.DE), the largest pay-TV operator in Germany and Austria, have launched Common Interface Plus (CI+) modules based on the NDS VideoGuard® conditional access (CA) system.

CI+ allows manufacturers to launch a wide range of devices, such as integrated Digital TV-sets and set-top boxes that can easily and securely provide access to Sky’s premium TV programming through plug-in CI+ modules. The recently launched modules fully support all Sky programming including Sky’s HD channels. The modules will be supplied in cooperation with select device manufacturers.

Gerry Duffy, Senior Vice President of Technology at Sky Deutschland said: “Our new CI+ modules, secured by NDS, help us to approach new customer groups. They provide the experienced consumer electronics user with greater flexibility in their hardware choice, and with that more options to access the world of Sky. In parallel we fulfil the security requirements of our content licensors by relying on the robust content protection of our technology partner NDS to implement the CI+ specification.”

Yves Padrines, VP Sales Europe and General Manager NDS GmbH, said: “We are proud to be supporting Sky in their efforts to increase the reach of their platform to further CE devices. The flexibility of the NDS VideoGuard security solution is further enabling Sky to meet consumer demands and provide all subscribers with their full content portfolio, with the confidence that their platform remains secure.”

The Sky Deutschland platform employs a full suite of NDS technologies, including VideoGuard Conditional Access, world-leading MediaHighway® set-top box software with XTV DVR technology and an NDS Electronic Programme Guide.