Cisco, Roku expand streaming video security
May 16, 2016
Cisco and Roku are collaborating to enable the Cisco VideoGuard Everywhere video service protection solution on Roku streaming players and Roku TVs.
Cisco VideoGuard Everywhere enables pay-TV operators to secure their content distribution to a wide variety of devices, which now includes Roku streaming players and Roku TVs. This collaboration will enable VideoGuard Everywhere to support the Charter Spectrum TV app available on Roku devices. VideoGuard Everywhere is a software-based video service protection solution encompassing Conditional Access (CA) and Digital Rights Management (DRM).
Cisco and Roku are working closely to pre-integrate the VideoGuard Everywhere security software into Roku firmware. All Roku devices will be automatically upgraded to include Cisco security software. Initial features and services the solution will be able to support for the Spectrum TV app for Roku devices will now include secure video on demand (VoD) and linear content playback, as well as control of the number of devices used simultaneously per subscriber account.
“We have been working closely with Roku to deliver a lower-cost, easy-to-deploy software security solution leading to innovative services like the Spectrum TV app on the Roku platform,” said Rajeev Raman, senior director of Strategy, Studio Design, and Product Management, Video Software and Solutions, Cisco. “Charter has been a pioneer in the industry for downloadable security to give its customers more options to watch what they want on the devices they want in their homes.”
“Utilising the fast growing Roku streaming platform in combination with the Cisco VideoGuard Everywhere security solution enables operators to simply and securely deliver their branded video streaming services to the home, and optimally manage digital sharing rights for their content library,” said Andrew Ferrone, vice president of pay-TV at Roku. “With this powerful combination, Charter continues to offer its pay-TV customers unique options to watch TV in ways that fit their lifestyles.”
Charter is deploying the VideoGuard Everywhere solution across its systems, including the Worldbox and Charter Spectrum TV apps on a wide range of consumer electronic devices such as PCs, tablets and phones.
“We are always looking ahead for ways to make our customer experience better, providing more flexibility and options for accessing the television content people want to watch,” said Jim Blackley, executive vice president, Engineering and IT, Charter. “By expanding the Cisco downloadable security solution to our Spectrum TV App channel on Roku streaming devices, we can better control device streaming rights and functions within the home without compromising on the experience.”
Separately, Cisco took the opportunity of the opening of the INTX trade show in Boston to update on progress of its cBR-8 Converged Broadband Access Platform, launched at INTX 2015.
It is helping to enable cable operators to achieve savings that could exceed 40 percent of capital and operating expenses over five years, compared with other converged cable access platforms (CCAP). In the year since launch, the cBR-8 is rapidly approaching 100 customers worldwide, including those announced in the US, Europe, APJC and Latin America, with over 30 already in deployment. It is helping to power services for more than 7 million pay TV subscribers.
“Cisco has seen amazing momentum with the cBR-8 in the wake of online video growth, and the united efforts to improve network performance,” said Sean Welch, vice president, Cable Access BU, Cisco. “With this highly resilient platform, we are helping our customers to significantly reduce TCO, and increase their subscriber value.”