NDS Provides On Digital Media with Key Technologies to Launch South African Pay-TV Platform

Highlights:

* On Digital Media chooses NDS MediaHighway® set-top box software, VideoGuard® conditional access and an NDS electronic programme guide for its DTH platform
* NDS appointed as prime integrator on the project
* New, flexible service addresses the needs of pay-TV subscribers in middle-income households in South Africa

LONDON, UK - NDS, the leading provider of technology solutions for digital pay-TV, today announced that On Digital Media has selected NDS as technology provider and prime integrator to support the launch of its direct-to-home (DTH) platform in South Africa. The new service, TopTV, will go live in Q2 2010.

On Digital Media will secure their MPEG4 DVB-S2-based service using NDS’ market-leading VideoGuard® conditional access technology. To enable the platform and provide the basis for future functionality, NDS MediaHighway® set-top box software and an NDS developed electronic programme guide (EPG) will also be implemented.

The launch of the TopTV platform will provide South Africans with a choice of satellite service providers. TopTV will offer a competitively-priced basic package of approximately 30 channels. On Digital Media will offer subscribers the flexibility to tailor their services to their own requirements and budget.

“We chose to partner with NDS as it offers the most secure encryption for pay-TV and a middleware roadmap that will allow us to introduce more advanced features including a DVR service in the future. The design and ease-of-use of NDS user interfaces was also a key factor in our decision,” said Vino Govender, CEO of On Digital Media. “Moreover, we are benefiting from NDS’ professional services as they bring unique experience from their involvement on similar engagements around the world.”

“On Digital Media is bringing pay-TV to middle-income households in South Africa for the first time. This represents a key win for NDS as we expand our presence in the emerging pay-TV market across the continent,” said Giles Wain, NDS Vice President of Regional Sales, EMEA. “The pay-TV market in Africa is at a tipping point. We are investing in local expertise at our new office in South Africa to ensure we are well-positioned to take advantage of these opportunities.”

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About On Digital Media

On Digital Media (ODM) is a proudly South African incorporated company, which will be launching the country’s second Pay TV platform in May 2010.

ODM will offer a new commercial satellite subscription service to South African audiences based on maximum choice and affordability. Content on the platform will be comprised of both local and international channels, giving subscribers a wide array of viewing options. Content will cover most television genres including Knowledge, Music, Children, Sport, Gospel and General Entertainment.

On the technology front audiences can be assured of the latest, state of the art digital broadcasting technology including MPEG-4 and DVB-S2. ODM possesses a powerful combination of technical capability and industry expertise, both at shareholding and management levels which will assure a significant and exciting impact on the market.

About NDS

NDS Group Ltd. creates the technologies and applications that enable pay-TV operators to securely deliver digital content to TV STBs (set-top boxes), DVRs (digital video recorders), PCs, mobiles and other multimedia devices. Over 70 of the world’s leading pay-TV platforms rely on NDS solutions to protect and enhance their businesses. VideoGuard® is the world’s market-leading conditional access (CA) and digital rights management (DRM) technology, currently deployed on 116 million active devices, and safeguarding pay-TV service revenues exceeding $40 billion. NDS middleware, including MediaHighway® which enables a host of advanced services for subscribers, has been deployed on 135 million devices. NDS DVR technology, centred around XTV™, leads the global industry with 25 million units deployed. (Deployment figures as of 31st December 2009).

Headquartered in the UK, NDS remains committed to investing in R&D with over 75% of its employees dedicated to pioneering work at development centres in China, Denmark, France, India, Israel, Korea, UK and US. NDS has also implemented a host of initiatives aimed at reducing its carbon footprint and helping digital TV subscribers reduce energy consumption.

NDS Group Ltd. is a private company owned by the Permira Funds and News Corporation. See www.nds.com for more information.