24i to Showcase its cutting-edge OTT Apps at IBC 2017

Reflections on a decade of disruption

Hall 14 has always been the outlier at IBC. The somewhat mysterious tent houses mostly software companies whose business models are based on helping broadcasters, operators and content companies profit from disruption. 24i is no exception. This year we are celebrating a decade of success and disruption by showcasing the next generation of video experiences, for the next generation. As the number of direct to consumer (D2C) video services grow, forward-thinking operators and broadcasters are having to disrupt their own business models in order to thrive and even survive. These next-generation video service providers understand the impact their video experiences have on their brand value and are looking for modular-based solutions which upcycle existing technologies and allow them to create relevant and personalized services for every one of their viewers. Read the full article on IBC365  

24i unveils cutting-edge CMS for VOD, SmartOTT Backstage

24i unveils cutting-edge CMS for VOD, SmartOTT Backstage   Amsterdam, The Netherlands, April 13th 2017 – 24i Media, a leading provider of multi-screen TV apps, today announced the launch of SmartOTT Backstage, a powerful Content Management system (CMS) designed to empower content owners, broadcasters and operators to unlock the potential of premium video with a service that allows them to enrich and organize their content metadata, offers social interaction, smarter personalized recommendations, continued viewing and superb curated content collections- instantly responsive across devices and regions. SmartOTT Backstage is a cloud-based and modular system that sits between the clients’ video backend system and their front- end applications, a robust and flexible solution comprised of three core functionalities, an intuitive CMS, a metadata & data-source component and a robust API which enrich and organizes content. Attached to flexible integration points, SmartOTT Backstage handles curated content collections, recommended feeds, scheduling, data-sourcing and metadata whilst providing customers with the opportunity to set up and brand their front-end apps by selection from a rich variety of layout elements and branding options. “We’re super excited to announce the launch of our leading-edge SmartOTT Backstage,” said Martijn Van Horssen, CEO at 24i Media. “We wanted to empower our customers to take full control over their content and curation, with a comprehensive toolbox to manage data for each piece of content, enabling them to meet the demands from their viewers for a personalized service. Our newly launched SmartOTT Backstage enables our customers to leverage the power of metadata and third-party integrations to create a more personalized experience across all devices.” SmartOTT Backstage enables customers to take complete control of their product and content experience, including key features such as:

Seamless integrations; The solution further offers a comprehensive suite of connectors that integrate seamlessly with existing systems and partners, allowing customers to enable/disable a range of integrations. For example analytics (Adobe Analytics, Google Analytics) or advertisement (FreeWheel, Google DFP), recommendation, etc.

Powerful and robust API: The flexible API is designed as an independent component, which is integrated with the SmartOTT Backstage Metadata/Data-source component. It can also connect to any source containing metadata, app configurations, etc.

An optimized unified point of access for all applications to retrieve app configurations, metadata and additional services not provided by the OVP, such as recommendations powered by Microsoft Azure.

Metadata enrichment system; a tool to import the metadata from the OVP into the system allowing clients to improve and differentiate their content data

Data-source and import/export tool for all application related configurations, including but not limited to; Template, Menu, Pages, Sections, Playlists, third party integration configurations.

Personalization – combining user preferences and rich metadata for customized content recommendations.

Content and metadata orchestration; a query builder & collection editor allowing customers to create curated playlists, meaningful content collections and schedule publishing- for smarter planning and scheduling of content workflows.

App configuration tool; allowing clients to select the modules & content they want to show on each page of their front-end apps, on any device.

Intuitive branding tool; enabling customers to incorporate their brand & look across all their apps, on any device, from uploading their logo to posting a promotional message.

Advanced user & role management; offering possibilities to customize the roles within an application with granular permissions.

Easily create application pages through a defined set of page blueprints (browse, search, settings), gives customers the freedom to arrange, schedule, order and publish their content as they wish.

The SmartOTT Backstage will be demoed at the 2017 NAB Show (Booth #SU11702CM), April 24 – 27, 2017, in Las Vegas. To learn more about the SmartOTT Backstage or to schedule a meeting with a 24i Media representative at the NAB Show, please visit: http://www.24i.com/meet-us-nab-2017/ About 24i Media (www.24i.com) 24i is a leading vendor in Smart TV apps for all devices including mobile, Smart TV, Set-top-boxes, Pc/ Mac , game consoles etc., empowering broadcasters, content owners and operators with future-proof and flexible tools to create and monetize personalized TV apps, while accelerating time-to-market and reducing cost. 24i’s technology framework powers the digital experience for leading brands around the world, including RTL, Fox Sports, Viacom Media Networks, Sinclair Broadcasting Group, Televisa, Fuse Media and many more, delivering state-of-the-art OTT apps, designed to maximize ROI, create seamless consumer experiences and build personalized engagements across all platforms. 24i Media is headquartered in Amsterdam, with offices in Los Angeles, Buenos Aires, Copenhagen, Madrid and Brno. For more information, please visit www.24i.com.

KALTURA INTEGRATES 24i MEDIA’S TV EVERYWHERE INTERFACE WITH ITS OTT TV PLATFORM

Uniform multiscreen UI, combined with Kaltura’s backend platform, reduces time to market for OTT TV launches New York, NY, January 5, 2016 – Kaltura Inc., provider of the leading video technology platform, today announced that it has partnered with TV app developer 24i Media to offer the SmartTemplate user interface as a new front end for its OTT TV platform. The integration of the SmartTemplate TV app with Kaltura’s OTT TV backend platform means that companies can now launch a full multiscreen OTT service in a matter of weeks – the fastest time to market available today. The integration builds on both companies’ expertise from large-scale OTT deployments, offering scalability and a template-based approach for easy customization and enhancements at any time. 24i’s TV Everywhere interface includes templates that have been incorporated into Kaltura’s OTT TV platform. This allows companies to launch a uniform OTT user experience across multiple devices from the outset. Supporting live and on-demand content, the interface offers an intuitive dashboard for easy navigation, social sharing and personalized user profiles across smart TVs, tablets, mobiles and other connected devices. Also, all future innovations on the Kaltura OTT TV roadmap will be supported on the TV app, meaning that customers can transition smoothly as new versions are released, with minimal time and investment. Kaltura and 24i’s templates support smart TVs and lean STBs as well as game consoles, and even allow the service provider to cherry-pick specific platforms to use for their various audiences, based on territory and other criteria. The templates also incorporate Kaltura’s engaging viewer experience that is easy to use on any device. According to Ron Yekutiel, Kaltura Chairman and CEO, “TV is changing rapidly, and it’s increasingly difficult for service providers, content owners, broadcasters and operators to keep pace. Our goal is to ensure that our customers stay ahead of the game by continually offering them product enhancements, greater flexibility and scalability. By integrating 24i Media’s OTT TV app with our backend, we significantly lower the entry barrier for reaching the ten foot experience, and offer customers even more choice to launch a fast, cost-effective multiscreen OTT service today that can be easily enhanced in the future.” “Introducing our SmartTemplate TV app with Kaltura is another milestone for 24i Media,” said Martijn van Horssen, CEO of 24i Media. “Together we offer an integrated, world-class end-to-end solution for OTT deployment, with maximum functionality and innovation at minimal costs and implementation hassle. Our successful cooperation with Kaltura confirms and strengthens our ambition to shape and form the spearhead of the future of TV by delivering simply the best front-end user experience in close cooperation with our strategic partners.” At CES, Kaltura will demonstrate how the integration of 24i Media’s TV Everywhere interface with Kaltura’s backend platform provides a uniform cross-device experience on mobile, web, and smart TVs, with applications that can run on Roku, Apple TV, smart TV, Amazon Fire and more. About Kaltura Kaltura’s mission is to power any video experience. A recognized leader in the OTT TV (Over the Top TV), OVP (Online Video Platform), EdVP (Education Video Platform) and EVP (Enterprise Video Platform) markets, Kaltura has emerged as the fastest growing video platform, and as the one with the widest use-case and appeal. Kaltura is deployed globally in thousands of enterprises, media companies, service providers and educational institutions and engages hundreds of millions of viewers at home, in work, and at school. The company is committed to its core values of openness, flexibility, and collaboration, and is the initiator and backer of the world's leading open-source video-management project, which is home to more than 100,000 community members. For more information visit www.kaltura.com, www.kaltura.org, or www.html5video.org. About 24i Media: 24i conceives, designs, develops, deploys and maintains high value TV apps for all internet-connected screens: Smart TVs, set-top boxes, gaming consoles, tablets and mobiles. With more than 35 media professionals, 24i services world-leading broadcasters, operators and content-owners, like RTL, FOX, KPN, Pluto.TV and NGSN, enabling them to gain a massive competitive advantage in the media industry with innovative and break-through TV apps, enabling new monetization strategies by establishing interactive and personalized relationships with TV content consumers. As a highly focused and skilled front-end specialist, 24i is a true network organization and works in strategic partnerships with TV platform manufacturers, technology solutions providers, OVPs and other suppliers in the TV chain. 24i is founded in 2009 and headquartered in The Netherlands (Amsterdam), with offices in Spain (Madrid), Argentina (Buenos Aires) and the USA (Los Angeles). For more information, visit www.24i.com. Follow 24i Media on Twitter: www.twitter.com/24i_Media