The Country Network Embraces IP Broadcasting with the Help of KIT digital
KIT digital, Inc. (NASDAQ: KITD), the leading global provider of video asset management solutions (VAMS) for multi-screen IP-based delivery, has partnered with The Country Network (TCN), a country music television network with headquarters on Music Row in
Prague, Czech Republic(18 Nov 2010)
KIT digital, Inc. (NASDAQ: KITD), a leading global provider of video asset management solutions (VAMS) for multi-screen IP-based delivery, has partnered with The Country Network (TCN), a country music television network with headquarters on Music Row in Nashville, to increase its broadcast reach to new markets and rapidly deliver its programming globally to mobile phones, tablet computers, the web and traditional television using KIT digital's internet protocol (IP) video management platform.
Launched in October 2010, TCN is the only television network dedicated exclusively to airing country music videos, delivering "all country music, all the time." With KIT digital's "VX Vision" platform offering, TCN is able to take advantage of the latest advances in IP broadcasting and will be available in more than 20 million US households within months of its launch.
By providing TCN with the ability to broadcast its content over IP on terrestrial infrastructure, KIT digital's turnkey solution removed the expense associated with legacy satellite-based uplink and delivery, and helped the network to quickly integrate with traditional broadcast distribution systems, in addition to delivering programming via new channels such as the web and mobile networks. TCN is in advanced negotiations with several other broadcast groups and expects to announce affiliations for additional markets shortly that will help the network reach 30-40 million households by early 2011. This expansion will be facilitated by KIT digital.
"When we looked at our broadcast model, we wanted to do things differently, not only in our programming but in our distribution as well," said Warren Hansen, founder and CEO of TCN. "After speaking with KIT digital, we saw that we could achieve speed-to-market, sustained cost efficiencies and a dramatic increase in picture quality by using IP. KIT digital has been in tune with our goals and has provided us with a solution that can deliver viewers exactly what they want wherever they want, seamlessly. "
KIT digital's VX Vision offering, part of the VX-one platform family, uses IP-based video delivery to enable content owners to distribute their live and on-demand programs while delivering a high-quality, branded viewing experience. This gives broadcasters as well as other content owners the opportunity to realize new revenue with lifecycle management, billing and advertising built into the core capabilities. In addition, VX Vision delivers both geo-targeted and socio-demographic content and advertising.
"The solution we're providing The Country Network is attractive whether it's placed on the cost or the revenue side of the broadcaster's ledger," said Sean McMann, vice president of strategic accounts at KIT digital. "From a cost perspective, it is truly disruptive-negating the need for complicated and expensive workflow and infrastructure while reducing human resource requirements. From a revenue perspective, it is opening up a more efficient, centralized way to manage pay-per-view, advertising and subscription-based revenue models on PCs, mobile devices and set-top boxes."
VX-one technology helps more than 1,300 organizations of all types and sizes across 50 countries to ingest, manage and deliver their live and on-demand media assets. They rely on KIT digital to deliver Hollywood-quality video content to PC, TV, mobile and tablet devices, to capture and stream over 50,000 live events a year, and to make video, audio and rich media presentations available on demand.
"KIT digital delivers multiple new revenue opportunities for broadcasters by providing an end-to-end solution that enables them to distribute, monetize and measure live, linear and VoD channels," said Lou Schwartz, head of Americas at KIT digital. "Our solution also provides unique opportunities to build more relevant interaction with each and every viewer-while eradicating most of the expense associated with traditional satellite distribution. We see this IP versus satellite replacement as the wave of the future in broadcasting."
About The Country Network
The Country Network ("TCN"), is an innovative music video network dedicated to providing today's country music enthusiasts more choices in televised and digital programming. TCN will be the only television network dedicated exclusively to airing country music videos. TCN is "all country music, all the time." TCN offers broadcasters a turn-key solution to fully utilize their digital channel capacity, while attracting the largest music audience. TCN: It's Your Country! www.tcncountry.com
About KIT digital, Inc.
KIT digital (NASDAQ: KITD) is a leading global provider of video asset management solutions (VAMs) for multi-screen IP-based delivery. KIT VX-one, the company's family of end-to-end software platform solutions, enables enterprise clients to acquire, manage and distribute video assets across the three screens of today's world: the personal computer, mobile device, and IPTV-enabled television set. The application of VX ranges from commercial video distribution to internal corporate deployments, including corporate communications, human resources, training, security and surveillance. KIT digital's client base includes more than 1,300 customers across 40+ countries, including The Associated Press, BBC, Best Buy, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Disney-ABC, FedEx, General Motors, Google, Hewlett-Packard, Home Depot, IMG Worldwide, ESPN Star, MediaCorp, News Corp, Telefonica, Universal Studios, Verizon and Vodafone. KIT digital is headquartered in Prague, and maintains principal offices in Atlanta, Beijing, Boston, Buenos Aires, Cairo, Cambridge (UK), Chennai, Cologne, Delhi, Dubai, Kolkata, London, Los Angeles, Melbourne (Australia), Mumbai, New York, Singapore, Sofia (Bulgaria), Stockholm and Toronto. For additional information, visit www.kitd.com or follow the company on Twitter at www.twitter.com/KITdigital.