Metrological has introduced a method for operators to deploy OTT content on set-top boxes. The system uses cloud-based frameworks and standardized key components to streamline OTT integration and reduce time to market. Liberty Global (NASDAQ:LBTYA) is the first to implement Metrological's approach for its Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) rollout.
"At Metrological, our focus is to reduce the complex engineering and to introduce lifecycle management of premium OTT content. This enables our customers to focus on the viewer experience instead of the technical integration," said Jeroen Ghijsen, CEO of Metrological. "By leveraging our experience with browser-based application frameworks, we have standardized key components, simplifying the integration of premium OTT content. This results in a reduction of the required STB resources, deployment cost and time to market. Both Liberty Global as well as Netflix benefit."
Metrological defined a hybrid deployment architecture, leveraging an application framework that acts as a device and software agnostic abstraction layer to streamline the engineering and coding requirements for set-tops. The approach also yields a smaller STB resource footprint, enabling operators to deploy OTT content on legacy devices.
The architecture is designed to address player abstraction, security and provisioning, code streamlining, and lifecycle and application management.
"Metrological's Application Platform, which is an integral part of Horizon TV, helped us to streamline this particular Netflix deployment and expedite the time to market," said Doron Hacmon, chief product officer, Liberty Global. "The flexibility of the platform allows us to continue to innovate by integrating new relevant services in a timely fashion."
Liberty Global has already launched the Netflix app in the UK, Ireland, Switzerland and the Netherlands, which will be followed by other countries throughout 2017.