Mississippi-based wireless operator C Spire will be the first to deploy a new virtual pay-TV platform developed by MobiTV that delivers multichannel video to OTT and mobile platforms.
The MobiTV Connect Platform delivers IP video to Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and select smart TVs, as well as Android and iOS. The service features live-streaming of local broadcast stations and cloud DVR recording. MobiTV claims the platform has a "full linear TV lineup," but has not disclosed which cable channels are licensed for the bundle.
C Spire said it will begin beta testing the new service in November.
Multiscreen vendor MobiTV is billing the platform as an easy way for smaller cable operators to deliver IP video to customers.
"This is only the beginning for us," said Charlie Nooney, CEO of MobiTV, in a statement. "We continue to break barriers and utilize our long history in the video delivery space to help more companies future-proof their offerings through our ever-evolving, agile solutions within the video delivery ecosystem."
The service employs a unicast IP delivery platform team that focuses on micro-releases across a fully integrated CMS, DRM, Media Player, nDVR, content policy, identity management, billing and authentication.
"Since the service relies on in-home streaming and mobile devices, it eliminates the need for traditional set top boxes," said Suzy Hays, senior VP of consumer markets for C Spire, also in a statement. "This next-generation service leverages our long-standing history of providing customer-inspired wireless experiences and will look and feel more like an app than your standard cable TV service with features such as in-depth search, personal recommendations and catch up TV."
For more:
- read this MobiTV press release
- read this C Spire press release
Related articles:
MobiTV, Boost join forces to attract prepaid subs with live sports, VOD lineup
AT&T teams with ESPN, Ericsson to deliver LTE broadcast at college championship game
Operator to launch MobiTV streaming HDMI stick in first half of this year