Switch Media underpins IPTV & OTT innovation with Foxtel Play

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Switch Media today announced its role in the development of Foxtel Play – a new internet TV service offering Australian audiences access to Foxtel on Samsung Smart TVs, Xbox 360 game consoles, PC and Mac computers. The service allows customers to watch more than 40 Foxtel channels live and access up to 34 channels of on demand across a range of connected devices on a monthly basis, with no lock-in contract.

Switch Media Co-Founder and Managing Director, Christopher Stenhouse, said; “audience behaviours are rapidly evolving to consuming TV content across a range of devices. Creating customer centric, iteratively developed products like Foxtel Play helps to broaden out access to content in more ways and helps  Australian media businesses to successfully meet these changing demands”.

Switch Media’s work for Foxtel includes the provision of their IP head-end for Foxtel Play and Foxtel Go through their video content management system, the Switch Media Manager, as well as workflow management and digital rights management (DRM) integration services. Switch Media also created the apps for PC, Mac, Android and iOS, along with providing APIs for third parties to create applications on other connected devices, such as smart TVs.

Luke Durham, Switch Media Co-Founder and CTO, said; “it’s exciting to see a technical solution of this scale be deployed and managed using a rapid development approach. It really allows our clients to experiment with services to meet customer demand across a range of devices, including quickly making changes to the solution”.

Michael Ivanchenko, Foxtel’s Director of Product, said; “Foxtel Play is an important step in connecting more Australians with the content they love from Foxtel. Switch Media’s approach has helped us  to bring world class products like Foxtel Play in to service to delight our customers and keep us in step with how audiences choose to enjoy our great content.”

Switch Media has partnered with Foxtel since 2012, including providing the IP head-end and connected device experiences for Foxtel’s award winning  London 2012 Olympics coverage and iPad app.

About Switch Media:

Switch Media specialises in providing custom, multi-device video solutions for customers throughout Asia Pacific. Established in Sydney in 2005, the company works with clients including Fairfax, Foxtel, the ABC, Quickflix and the Australian Federal Government. For more information, visit www.switch.tv

Switch Media helping to expand the reach of the Foxtel Go app with support for Android, PC & MAC

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Live, On Demand and Catch Up TV

Foxtel has announced its highly acclaimed Foxtel Go app is now available across a host of new devices including select Samsung Android tablets and smartphones as well as PC and Mac computers. The new apps, which were developed by Switch Media in conjunction with Foxtel’s creative team, are a continuation of the technology partnership between the two companies. Switch Media also produced the original app services for iPhones and iPads allowing Foxtel subscribers to take their subscription services with them.

The new services, which have been eagerly anticipated dramatically increase the number of ways Foxtel subscribers can take their entertainment with them.  Customers simply download the Foxtel Go app from the Foxtel website or Samsung App Store, enter their Foxtel login and start enjoying great mobile entertainment. In addition Foxtel has increased the number of devices that can be registered to Foxtel Go from two to three.

Jim Rudder, Foxtel Executive Director of Product said, “We’re really pleased with the response we’ve had since Foxtel Go launched late last year. Through our innovation, Foxtel continues to add value for our subscribers and the increase in the number and type of devices consumers can use to access it goes a long way towards delivering on our promise to help even more customers enjoy Foxtel in the home or on the move.”

Christopher Stenhouse, CEO of Switch Media, added: “By taking these initiatives, Foxtel is reinforcing its leadership position in the industry — providing innovative services that meet customers’ needs. With these new services, Foxtel is enabling its customers to access its content, whenever and wherever required, via a simple to use added value service. Given our long-standing relationship with Foxtel, we are delighted to have played our part in developing the new apps.”

Utilising IP head-end services also provided by Switch Media, Foxtel Go is delivering up to 59 live channels and over 50 channels for on demand catch up viewing to Foxtel Pay TV subscribers.

About Switch Media

Switch Media are the multi-screen video specialists.  As well as their cloud based video content management system, the Switch Media Manager, Switch Media’s products and services include online video portals, mobile apps, Digital Rights Management (DRM), real-time analytics, content monetisation, hosting and global distribution.

www.switch.tv

 

About Foxtel

Foxtel is one of Australia’s most progressive and dynamic media companies, directly employing around 2,500 people, and delivering a diverse subscription television service to both regional and metropolitan areas over cable, satellite and broadband distribution. We offer a better entertainment experience every day to each one of our 2.3 million subscribing homes through delivery of exclusive and inspiring programming across all genres, the world’s most popular channel brands, and investment in high quality local content. As constant champions of innovation we have brought customers the iQ personal digital recorder, Australia’s largest HD offering and the Foxtel Go App. Foxtel is owned by Telstra Corporation Limited ACN 051 775 556 (50%) and The News Corporation Ltd (50%). foxtel.com.au