Avail Media Reports 300 Percent Growth in VOD Services in 2008

Despite tough economic times, Avail Media is announcing unprecedented growth for 2008, and reports that it has achieved many key milestones this year.

 

The positive growth report from Avail Media is a reflection of the bright future that may wait in store for the worldwide IPTV (News - Alert) market, as nations wake up to the powers of technology and are readying infrastructure to support it. Even customers are aware of the possibilities of IPTV and are demanding new services that are based on this technology.

 

In 2008, 73 commercially launched video deployments made use of Avail Media’s managed video service platform. The VOD business of the company grew by more than 300 percent to more than 1 million subscribers. Also, the linear content affiliate base grew by more than 100 percent year on year.

 

“It’s been an exciting year of platform stability and growth for the IPTV industry,” said Ramu Potarazu, CEO of Avail Media. “With our impressive growth rate, we’re able to continue to expand our platform investments and broaden our service and content offerings, even during these tough economic times. We remain committed to being a leader in the delivery of digital video services.”

 

In 2008, Avail Media expanded relationships with vendors such as Minerva and Latens, deployed conditional access systems with Verimatrix, Windevine, and Latens and improved its relationships with Motorola (News - Alert), ADB, Scientific Atlanta, and Entone in the set top box arena.

 

Officials from Avail Media say that the company will drive IPTV adoption for affiliates in 2009. The company also believes that its success in the market has provided a platform for further investment and expansion.

 

In November, more than 40 Avail Media affiliates signed up with Verimatrix for their live broadcast MPEG-4 IPTV content to provide fully-encrypted and market-ready IPTV services for network operators. These members will benefit from the Verimatrix’s (News - Alert) Video Content Authority System, VCAS, which will provide live broadcasts of MPEG-4 IPTV content. The new signups represent 76 percent of Avail Media’s total customer base.