Axel Springer Digital TV Guide Joins NDS Recommendation Engine Partner Programme

LONDON, UK — – NDS, the leading provider of technology solutions for digital pay-TV, today announced that Axel Springer Digital TV Guide, a leading provider of advanced video content discovery for new television platforms, have joined the NDS Recommendations Engine Partner Programme.

Through the NDS Recommendations Engine Partner Programme, NDS will offer Axel Springer’s personalised video discovery and recommendation solution to its customers as a partner in recommendation engine based initiatives.

Axel Springer have extensive experience in editorial content creation and editorial recommendations for leading print and online programme guide services, as well as intelligent, personalised recommendation and content discovery technology.

Springer’s service, introduced to consumers in leading European markets during 2010, facilitates self-learning personalised recommendation technology across a range of distribution platforms, enabling operators to deliver an enriched experience to their subscribers. Rather than having to search actively for appropriate content, with Axel Springer’s platform, personalised content from multiple entertainment sources is presented for users to view at their convenience.

Stephan Zech, Managing Director at Axel Springer Digital TV Guide GmbH commented: “Our reach in the German content market enables us to add great value in the field of content discovery for German pay-TV operators. With a solution that addresses the needs of both the operator and the viewer, we look forward to working with NDS to enrich the viewing experience”.

“Aiding content discovery is a key element for increasing ARPU and reducing churn on pay-TV platforms. With the incorporation of a recommendations service, based on viewer preferences and viewing history, operators are enabled with a powerful tool to maintain subscribers and increase the relevance of their viewing.” said Yves Padrines, VP Sales Europe and General Manager NDS GmbH. He added “Axel Springer provide a great opportunity for added value content discovery in the German market, with existing access to a wealth of programming information; they are a welcome addition to the Recommendations Engine Partner Programme.”

As the 4th company to join the NDS Recommendations Engine Partner Programme, the addition of Axel Springer further expands the choice of pre-integrated partners for NDS customers looking to implement a recommendations service on their platform.

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 75 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 145 million active devices, and safeguarding pay-TV service revenues exceeding $50 billion. NDS middleware, including MediaHighway® which enables a host of advanced services for subscribers, has been deployed on 171 million devices. NDS DVR technology, centred around XTV™, leads the global industry with 35 million units deployed. (Deployment figures as of 31st December 2010).

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.