H&C TV chooses Simplestream for the Delivery of their OTT Channel
Horse & Country TV, the specialist international equestrian sports and lifestyle network, has appointed Simplestream to power their new H&C TV Everywhere service.
H&C TV Everywhere uses Simplestream’s Media Manager to allow subscribers to watch H&C’s t
London(06 Dec 2013)
Capabilities for live streaming include ingest, encoding and content protection, together with fully-integrated EPG management, blackouts, real-time analytics, advertising and secure multi-bitrate streaming to all devices. Simplestream’s CatchupTV technology allows for the automated creation of high-quality VOD assets from the live stream, including comprehensive rights management, metadata fields, syndication and monetisation tools. Multi-bitrate renditions of programmes are available within 60 seconds of the programme airing with the broadcast advertisements removed. The system is already in use by a wide range of music, sports, teleshopping and general entertainment broadcasters.
As part of its end-to-end, fully-managed service, Simplestream has also developed the H&C TV Everywhere website, together with mobile and tablet applications for both iOS and Android. The bespoke apps offer easy access to a range of free features, including H&C TV’s daily video clips, news and the on-air schedule. H&C’s live stream and 7-day CatchupTV service is available to subscribers for a small monthly charge. Users can also access H&C’s Facebook page and Twitter feed from the apps, set reminders for shows they want to watch, and share their favourites with their friends through social media. Subscriber management and entitlement is administered by Simplestream’s Customer’s module. H&C TV Everywhere will allow the registration of 3 devices per account, with two simultaneous streams. Payment processing is administered by H&C TV’s vendor, Sage Pay.
H&C TV CEO, Heather Killen, said: “As an independent channel, H&C needs technology partners that help us monetise our audience and cost-effectively future-proof our operations. We appointed Simplestream to deliver our new subscription service in the UK and Ireland following an exhaustive technical review. Simplestream has taken a clean sheet of paper to the question of multi-device TV distribution, and delivered an elegant and polyvalent solution.”
Simplestream CEO & Founder, Adam Smith, said: “We have been delighted to work with Horse & Country to deliver an advanced OTT solution for their business. Using our Media Manager technology to automate their workflows as much as possible, H&C are able to operate a live streaming and catchup service with functionality similar to that of the Public Service Broadcasters, with no compromise on quality or user-experience”.
H&C TV Everywhere will be available from December 16th for a monthly subscription of £4.99 and will run in parallel to the channel’s current offering on Sky. H&C TV Everywhere is launching with a special Christmas offer of a free DVD from its current collection.
About Simplestream:
Simplestream, founded in 2010, has grown to become a leading provider of multi-platform live streaming and catch-up TV services to broadcast and media companies. Its’ Media Manager, Media Hub and Media Player technologies simplify over the top (OTT) video operations and work-flows. Offering a cost-effective SaaS pricing model, Simplestream’s services are optimised for the sports, music, news, entertainment and teleshopping sectors.
About Horse & Country
Horse & Country TV broadcasts in the UK and Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden and Malta, and can be found on the web at www.horseandcountry.tv , www.horseandcountrytv.nl, and www.horseandcountrytv.se. The Channel carries exclusive sports event coverage, news, documentary and personality-led programming to the passionate audience for horse sports and country living. At the UK’s Broadcast Digital Awards H&C won "Best Specialist Channel" in 2011 and was shortlisted in two categories this year. Online H&C publishes blogs and commentary provided by a range of experts and personalities, an extensive range of equestrian video, a calendar of events, as well as programme support material for all of the Channel's featured shows. H&C's role as a community hub for the horse and countryside loving community is reflected in the Channel's 500,000+ viewers each month, 110,000+ Facebook fans and 30,000+ followers on Twitter.