TiVo has acquired the Warsaw-based middleware and multiscreen specialist Cubiware, in a move the US firm says will expand its international presence.
“We are very excited about the opportunities in front of us as part of TiVo, especially as many Pay-TV operators in emerging markets are looking for innovative advanced television software solutions that can be deployed on cost-effective set-top boxes and other devices,” said Jakub Gorski, Cubiware’s CEO and Co-founder. “Cubiware’s solution is integrated with a variety of leading set-top-box providers enabling over 4 million devices in the field. Becoming part of TiVo will enable us to offer more advanced solutions to our current customers and pursue a broader set of prospects with a proposition that offers compelling functionality at a very attractive price point.”
TiVo says it will look to expand on the relationships built by Cubiware in the field of set-top boxes and conditional access.
“Cubiware’s recent growth reflects its strong position in markets that are experiencing rapid pay television expansion,” said Tom Rogers, TiVo’s President and CEO. “The combination of TiVo and Cubiware is expected to enhance Cubiware’s product offering with a variety of features in the future including advanced search and recommendations, OTT applications, and user interface enhancements that will further distinguish Cubiware products and accelerate customer expansion.”
The majority of Cubiware’s customers are based in Europe and include Telecom Austria and Finland’s DNA. Outside the contintent customers include Columbus Communications in the Caribbean and Cablemas in Mexico.
Cubiware’s co-founders and managers, Jakub Gorski (CEO) and Maciej Grzonkowski (CTO), worked together on one of the world’s first over-the-top (OTT) video-on-demand (VOD) set-top box (STB) and IPTV projects, which was for the Japanese market. In 2008, the two founded Cubiware, entering the market with middleware for the IPTV sector.
