MOBITV announced recently that it has secured hosted streaming video delivery rights from an additional 90 networks, which brings the total to 350 networks.
One of the company's aims is to help operators address the growing need for an application-based solution for retail streaming devices, said Charlie Nooney, chairman and CEO, MOBITIV. Operators can use their own network, but MOBITV also offers a managed service that doesn't require capital spending or upgrades to traditional headend infrastructure.
"Cable operators of any size can create a competitive (service) in the marketplace," Nooney said. "We are focused on and careful with making sure we are building for the future."
With the suite of networks, MOBITV allows operators to marry their current lineup to the offering. When a new subscriber comes to the marketplace, he or she can get service by downloading an application instead of requiring a new set-top box.
"Operators can compete (with OTT) from a cost standpoint and a reach standpoint. If you can download Hulu and Netflix (from your location), you can download this application. (This is) future-proofing their solution," Nooney said.
Over time as the transition to IPTV continues, an operator could foreseeably shut down its headend and get out of the infrastructure business, Nooney said. Or an operator also could keep its infrastructure investment and install the MOBITV software.
As for rights management, operators would still have to negotiate price. If an operator has a deal with ESPN, for example, MOBITV offers the ability to deliver the content from a technical standpoint.
"We are securing rights to deliver the content from one to many," Nooney said. "It allows (us) to intake their content and distribute it to multiple operators."
In other words, if the operator has the rights to stream to mobile devices outside the home, MOBITV will help do that. But the platform doesn't enhance the rights. However, if the operator has the negotiated ability to provide certain content across devices whether the viewer is inside his or her own home or outside of it, MOBITV can deliver said content to the devices in question, Nooney said.
MOBITV has signed more than 61 pay TV operators, accounting for a national footprint of more than 1 million U.S. subscribers. These operators are in the process of rolling out the managed solution, Nooney said.
