IBC 2009 – Amsterdam. The Microsoft Mediaroom middleware has more than doubled its presence over the last 12 months.
Having grown from 1.5 million households in September 2008, Microsoft now expects the 4 million mark to be passed in October 2009. Some 2 million of the households are in Europe.
Although the most deployed single middleware, ‘own brand’ is still the curious choice of more operators.
Over the last six months, new Mediaroom deployments have been announced by du (UAE), Beeline (Russia), Hellas Online (Greece) and SureWest (US). There has also been growth for existing operators including Deutsche Telekom, Swisscom, Portugal Telecom and AT&T.
Microsoft initially concentrated on so-called Tier 1 telcos, but more recently has optimised the product for smaller deployments. In a throwback to Microsoft’s earlier attempts to enter the cable market, it has also launched on a DOCSIS-based cable infrastructure, Guangzhou Digital Media Group’s Zhujiang Digital service.