Japan Digital Serve Corporation (JDS) has chosen the Ericsson cloud-based MediaFirst suite as a next-generation TV platform from which to deliver a range of video services to its subscribers. According to Ericsson, the move will enable JDS's cable operators to offer highly personalized and seamless TV and video services across more devices to their subscribers.
The suite includes the Ericsson MediaFirst TV Platform, MediaFirst Video Processing, MediaFirst Video Delivery and Video and Storage Processing Platform (VSPP). Ericsson will also provide JDS with system integration services that include system set-up, monitoring and ongoing support and consultation.
According to Ericsson, the implementation will help JDS operationalize a common platform for effective creation, operation and delivery of content and 'a modern cloud-based IP broadcast delivery system that has actionable analytics, multiscreen delivery, multi-DRM support, time shifted content, recommendations, promotional bundles and targeted advertising.'
JDS CEO, Hiroshi Kawamura, said the new OTT platform would have a major impact for cable operators across Japan. 'Ericsson's expertise spans the entire media value chain and it has been able to provide us with an all-encompassing solution for media processing, content delivery and storage, ensuring a sophisticated experience for end users.'
Ericsson describes its MediaFirst TV Platform as 'a software-defined, media-optimized platform for the creation, management and delivery of next generation Pay TV.' It sits alongside MediaFirst Video Processing which offers 'virtualization in content exchange, distribution and software-defined live UHD encoding' and MediaFirst Video Delivery, which provides 'a single, comprehensive media processing suite that addresses every stage of the media delivery chain.'
Elisabetta Romano, Head of TV and Media at Ericsson said cable operators were increasingly looking to integrate OTT services alongside more traditional broadcast delivery to stay competitive in a crowded marketplace. 'Our evolving MediaFirst portfolio has been created to leverage virtualization and cloud technologies to make the delivery of next-generation TV services a cost-effective reality.'
JDS was established in 2000 to support the digitization of cable TV across Japan and offers a delivery service of traditional multi-channel broadcast programs (approximately 200 channels (UHD/HD/SD) to over 200 individual cable operators with a combined six million subscribers. In recent years it has extended its services to include live-TV, time-shifted TV and catch up TV.