NCTC Launches TVE Solution for Small Operators

LENEXA, Kan. – The National Cable Television Cooperative, Inc. (NCTC) has successfully enabled over 80 member companies with its TV Everywhere authentication solution developed collaboratively with several key members. The platform known as Watch TV Everywhere (“WTVE”) allows member companies to quickly and affordably offer its subscribers authenticated programming content across multiple screens. Most of the major programmers offering TVE content have now been integrated onto the platform. The platform also supports a variety of member billing system solutions.

Prior to this initiative, smaller operators found it difficult to pull the pieces together to participate in this early phase of TV Everywhere. NCTC created a member advisory committee to help define the near term priorities and evaluate different technical solutions. NCTC was then able to accelerate the development and deployment by
leveraging work already being done by one of its members, Massillon Cable TV, who agreed to contribute its efforts to an NCTC overall solution.

Rich Fickle, CEO of NCTC said “This project is a great example of how mid and smaller operators working collaboratively can create very innovative and cost effective solutions. Several members like Massillon have a great track record in bringing new products to market faster than many large MSO’s. Massillon had the right approach; keep it simple, low cost and easy use.”

Massillon President Bob Gessner said: “Our customers now have access to TVE content through an inexpensive platform that has the ability to change as the TVE market evolves. The partnership with NCTC has allowed us to be even more innovative and responsive in the market. Helping other members of the NCTC cooperate by sharing work we were already doing will help us as well in the long term.”

The NCTC plans to create additional solutions in partnership to provide expanded capabilities in the spectrum of TV Everywhere for its members. NCTC is currently working on solutions to help originate content and enhanced navigation solutions for multi screen access.

The NCTC master agreement provides members an economical solution with appropriate levels of service standards and operational assurances needed to provide access to a variety of member companies. Most members were able to launch the TVE solution in a few short weeks with very little initial investment.