German DTH satellite platform HD+, a subsidiary of Astra satellite operator SES, is the first operator to deploy direct-to-TV security solution TVkey Cloud.
TVkey Cloud, co-developed by content protection provider Nagra and consumer electronics manufacturer Samsung Electronics, is a cloud-based solution that brings pay-TV services directly to internet-connected smart TVs equipped with TVkey hardware.
“The instant activation of HD+ using a smart TV application without the need for any additional hardware makes it easier than ever for consumers to access our services,” said Georges Agnes, managing director and chief operating officer at HD+.
Maurice Van Riek, SVP content and asset cecurity at Nagra, added: “The TVkey Cloud solution make it easy for pay-TV operators like HD+ to deliver the best of internet and TV experiences and activate consumers right from the smart TV app store – capabilities that, until now, were only available to OTT providers. And because TVkey Cloud has been designed for enhanced content protection, HD+ has the peace of mind that their premium content assets are secure in a direct-to-TV environment.”
John Adam, director of business development and industrial affairs at Samsung Research UK, said: “Samsung is delighted to be part of the HD+ launch on Samsung TVs and sees this as a clear indication of how TVkey Cloud enables the retail television set to become the primary consumption point for premium broadcast pay-TV without the need for any additional operator equipment in the home.”
The TVkey supervisor app environment allows HbbTV to customise the TV user interface, enabling HD+ to deliver an operator-branded design with value-added services such as instant restart, 7-day catch-up TV and a TV guide. Additional features like VOD and cloud DVR can be implemented through the TVkey Cloud framework.
TVkey Cloud is already being implemented in Samsung TVs and is supported by Nagra and Conax conditional access systems. TVkey Cloud is available to the wider ecosystem of industry players, including conditional access vendors and TV manufacturers who wish to use its capabilities to bring operator user experience and advanced services directly to the TV screen.
Nagra, a subsidiary of Swiss Kudelski Group, will demonstrate its latest solutions in service protection, content monetisation and home security at IBC 2019 on is stand C81 in hall 1.
