MultiChoice Africa Implements Irdeto Solution to Enable Access to On-Demand Content on Set Top Boxes, PCs and Mobile Devices

Irdeto Enables Multiscreen Solution by Combining its Broadband and Conditional Access Offering to Improve Viewing Experiences

AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands — Irdeto (JSE:NPN)(LSE:NPSN), a global software security and media technology company, today announced that MultiChoice Africa (JSE:NPN)(LSE:NPSN), the leading multichannel digital satellite television operator across the African continent, has implemented the Irdeto Broadband Solution to provide customers of its flagship platform, DStv, with easier, more flexible access to video content. The new offering gives subscribers access to premium on-demand content on MultiChoice’s range of set-top boxes in both Standard Definition (SD) and High Definition (HD) as well as on PCs and mobile devices.

Jean-Louis Acafrao, General Manager of Video On Demand at MultiChoice Africa explains, “We were looking for a solution that would enable us to provide an efficient yet powerful way of streamlining content workflows, including the management and publication of our growing library of premium content. As the need to make content available to consumers on more platforms increases so we need to implement the best tools for getting great content to people quickly, easily and reliably.”

The implementation pulls together multiple products from Irdeto’s portfolio to create one of the most powerful content and workflow management systems ever deployed. The complete solution allows MultiChoice to centralize the management of all on-demand content as well as automating content encryption whether using Conditional Access or multiple DRM technologies for delivery to set-top boxes and to PCs and mobile devices that support Windows Media DRM and PlayReady. MultiChoice is now able to secure its content from a single management interface regardless where and how that content will be consumed, increasing efficiency and opportunities to monetize content.

To cope with the currently low levels of unmetered broadband penetration in South Africa, the robust security solution enables MultiChoice to deliver a selection of encrypted premium content via satellite directly to the set-top box hard disks, where users can browse the on-demand content library before making a selection. The Irdeto infrastructure has been fully integrated with MultiChoice Africa’s existing systems, minimizing costs and maximizing the addressable market of consumers able to buy on-demand content. MultiChoice Africa’s selection of Irdeto’s dynamic technology platforms is part of a long-standing relationship that has helped establish MultiChoice as a leading innovator of content delivery in the region, built on a foundation of compelling premium entertainment.

“Irdeto’s technology is a key part of MultiChoice Africa’s multi-platform strategy”, said Doug Lowther, EVP Digital TV, Irdeto. “Operators like MultiChoice Africa are being challenged to meet increasing customer demands while ensuring that content remains profitable and operations become increasing efficient. A vital part of this is having an effective and scalable multi-device strategy that enables operators to attract new and retain existing customers by offering high quality content on a number of devices. Irdeto’s solutions support and protect this business model now and will continue to do so in the future.”