The Kudelski Group has said that its total revenues and other operating$ income decreased from $1,012.1 million to $919.7 million, mainly driven by the Digital TV segment, which posted a 72.1 million net revenue decline.
The Group implemented a comprehensive restructuring program resulting in a $74.9 million reduction of recurring Digital TV costs. The Group completed most of the restructuring measures related to its French operations in the second half of 2018, including the divestment of SmarDTV operations and the closure of a French R&D site. A further enabler of the 2018 cost reduction was tighter integration of Nagra and Conax operations.
In spite of decreasing revenues, Digital TV delivered OIBDA ex restructuring costs of $111.9 million, “reflecting strong cost controls and the successful completion of 2018 restructuring programme.”
In the US, Nagra continued to strengthen its long-term relationship with Altice USA. Altice USA has selected OpenTV Player, Nagra SSP and Nagra Connect to power and secure its new multiscreen experience by providing a secure playout on a wide range of open devices. In addition, Altice USA has selected Nagra Insight, the advanced digital TV data platform that leverages artificial intelligence to address a number of business opportunities.
In France, Nagra has expanded its digital security and convergent media solution partnership with SFR, a subsidiary of the Altice Group and one of France’s largest telecom operators. Nagra is now providing SFR with anti-piracy services to fight illegal live streaming of the UEFA Champions league and English Premiere League.
Nagra has renewed and expanded its content protection partnership with Liberty Global, that will benefit Liberty Global’s affiliates in Europe and Liberty Latin America.
Canal+ and Nagra jointly deployed anti-piracy services targeting major illegal streaming providers that impact Canal+. Studio Canal adopted NexGuard Pre Release in order to securely track movie distribution. Canal+ adopted Nagra Go Live in Myanmar, allowing Canal+ Myanmar to deploy Live OTT channels over mobile phones and tablets.
Telefónica has deployed the Nagra Security Services Platform (SSP) managing the Nagra Connect client to secure its Movistar IPTV service and 4K Ultra HD content in multiple countries with advanced set-top boxes. Through its Connect and SSP solution, Nagra powers Telefónica’s deployment of Netflix in the new-generation set-top boxes deployed in Peru.
Vodafone has selected and deployed the Nagra Security Services Platform (SSP) to secure its multi-network TV service across the world.
