MCTV (formerly Massillon Cable TV), a service provider delivering TV services to five counties in northeast Ohio, has launched IPTV service with the Espial's (TSX:ESP) Elevate software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform.
"MCTV is a leading-edge provider of home entertainment services for consumers in our markets. We recognized an opportunity to embrace IPTV and introduce a new platform that will mimic our RF products and bring the latest IP technology to our customer base," said Robert Gessner, president of MCTV. "Espial's Elevate cloud platform will allow us to improve our customer service and support operations by providing a single cloud-managed platform with a consistent, unified user experience across our RF and IPTV networks, as well as our managed and consumer-owned devices. Espial also allowed us to seize this opportunity quickly by delivering the IPTV solution in under 90 days."
The cloud-based Elevate video delivery platform is designed to capitalize on existing headend equipment, customer premises equipment (CPE) and the economies of scale and scope of web technologies. It features analytics, reporting and a marketing engine.
MCTV's IPTV service features live TV, whole-home DVR, OTT apps, and a new user experience (UX). Many of the new features - including a personalized interface on any screen - will also be made available to existing MCTV FUSION RF subscribers.
Espial will showcase the Elevate cloud-based SaaS video platform at the SCTE/ISBE Cable Tec Expo in Denver.
MCTV offers high-speed Internet, digital TV, phone, TV advertising, dedicated fiber-optic connections, and security systems to more than 47,000 homes and businesses in Ohio's Stark, Wayne, Summit, Holmes and Tuscarawas counties.