Panel of Multi-screen Experts to Host Breakfast Forum Illustrating Adaptive Streaming Solutions for OTT

Discussions to Focus on Revenue Optimization Strategies for Multi-screen Video

San Diego - A group of leading vendors supporting premium adaptive streaming technologies are offering a free Breakfast Forum, prior to the IP&TV World Forum, which will preview some key themes in the over-the-top (OTT) video services marketplace. Attendees can now sign-up online for the Capitalizing on OTT Breakfast Forum to be held on March 22, 2011 from 8:00 to 10:30 a.m. and conveniently located at the Hilton Olympia London.

The Breakfast Forum, coordinated by Verimatrix, the specialist in securing and enhancing revenue for multi-screen digital TV services around the globe, will feature a series of short presentations and a roundtable session moderated by Aditya Kishore, senior analyst, of Heavy Reading.

To help determine what OTT service delivery approach might produce the best return on investment (ROI), operators are turning to their technology partners to help analyze development and network integration plans. In turn, equipment manufacturers and software developers are navigating rapid technology and standards advances that push the envelope on quality and versatility of service delivery. The common goal is to achieve quality of experience (QoE) akin to the TV for Internet-delivered video to television sets, a feat that was difficult in the past due to the lack of quality of service (QoS) guarantee in unmanaged networks.

During the free Breakfast Forum, recognized experts from AwoX , Harmonic, Minerva, RealNetworks and Verimatrix, will discuss key aspects of an OTT offering that expands revenue opportunities with services to diverse devices, offered both inside and outside an operator’s managed network. Additional topics of discussion include:

• Best practices for integrating OTT services with existing digital TV offerings
• QoE advantages of adaptive rate streaming protocols for broad-based OTT services
• The role of standards and ecosystems in evaluating adaptive rate streaming solutions
• Secured revenue as a key driver for new breeds of service as the market expands from advertising to subscription-based models
• Latest consumer and operator research on optimizing OTT services

Kishore will kick-off the discussion by analyzing the impact and implications of OTT video on network operators, and their plans for expanding TV services to multiple consumer devices. He will discuss findings from two of Heavy Reading’s proprietary 2010 surveys: the Multiplatform Video Distribution study and the U.S. Pay TV Subscriber study.

“Service providers need to determine how they are going to integrate traditionally unmanaged OTT video within their network infrastructure, and simultaneously determine how to deliver new video services on multiple platforms outside of their managed network,” said Kishore. “The panel of experts that has been assembled for the Capitalizing on OTT Breakfast Forum is exceptionally well qualified to help broadcasters and network operators explore the challenges and implications of OTT service delivery.”

Attendees can sign-up online and follow event developments on LinkedIn and Twitter by using the hashtag #OTTforum. All attendees qualify for a drawing for an iPad and must be present to win.

About AwoX
AwoX develops the technologies and the white label products for accessing easily Internet and personal content, wherever free or premium. AwoX customers are the lead broadband & broadcast operators, the consumer electronics A-brand and the tier-one system integrators. AwoX manufactures affordable full-featured WiFi Internet Radio, Hybrid DTT/IP STB and Connected TV, as well as the underlying technology bricks: connected audio & video modules, and DLNA related middleware ranging from media playback down to content protection. Our innovative off-the-shelf audio and video products are sold by service providers under their own brand. They are relying on our technology available as software development kits to quickly implement networking, encryption and multimedia support on their existing platform. AwoX is a Board member of the Digital Living Network Alliance and of the Internet Media Device Alliance. More information at www.awox.com

About Harmonic Inc.
Harmonic Inc. offers a comprehensive, innovative and market-leading portfolio of video infrastructure solutions, spanning content production to multi-screen video delivery. Harmonic customers can efficiently create, prepare and deliver differentiated video services over broadcast, cable, Internet, mobile, satellite and telecom networks, while simplifying end-to-end asset management, reducing costs and streamlining workflows.

Omneon, now part of Harmonic, provides integrated, end-to-end file-based infrastructure that optimizes workflow for the production, distribution, and management of digital media. Omneon video server and video-optimized storage platforms are architected to deliver the high reliability, flexibility, and scalability required for on-air channel playout and efficient content production. More information is available at www.omneon.com.

Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) is headquartered in San Jose, California with R&D, sales and system integration centers worldwide. The company’s customers—including each of the top 20 Fortune 2000 media companies—choose Harmonic to enable their high quality video services delivered to consumers in virtually every country. Visit www.harmonicinc.com for more information

About Minerva Networks
Minerva Networks is the leading provider of carrier-class solutions for the delivery of television services over broadband networks. Over 200 network operators worldwide have deployed Minerva’s software platform for next-generation TV entertainment and communications services. For more information, visit www.minervanetworks.com.


About RealNetworks
Real creates innovative applications and services that make it easy to connect with and enjoy digital media. Real invented the streaming media category in 1995 and continues to connect consumers with their digital media both directly and through partners, aiming to support every network, device, media type and social network. Real’s corporate information is located at http://www.realnetworks.com/about-us

About Verimatrix
Verimatrix specializes in securing and enhancing revenue for multi-screen digital TV services around the globe. The award-winning and independently audited Verimatrix Video Content Authority System (VCAS™) and ViewRight® solutions offer an innovative approach for cable, satellite, terrestrial and IPTV operators to cost-effectively extend their networks and enable new business models. As the recognized leader in software-based security solutions for premier service providers, Verimatrix has pioneered the 3-Dimensional Security approach that offers flexible layers of protection techniques to address evolving business needs and revenue threats. Maintaining close relationships with major studios, broadcasters, industry organizations, and its unmatched partner ecosystem enables Verimatrix to provide a unique perspective on digital TV business issues beyond content security as operators seek to deliver compelling new services. For more information, please visit www.verimatrix.com, our Pay TV Views blog and follow us at @verimatrixinc and LinkedIn to join the conversation.