LatAm Market Briefing 2013 | Page 6

LatAm_latam 12/07/2013 17:57 Page 4 Farncombe, Inview LatAm OTT solutions S pecialist digital TV consultancy Farncombe and Smart TV solutions provider Inview are working together to offer operators in Latin America a new, costeffective way to launch OTT services in the region. Through the collaboration, named T4, Farncombe is providing its system integration capabilities alongside Inview’s OTT platform to LatAm operators, enabling them to enhance their broadcast services with a customised hybrid OTT platform using Inview’s state-ofthe-art user interface (UI). Farncombe is known for its expertise in design, testing and deployment of digital video solutions and user interfaces in Europe and LatAm while Inview has deployed hybrid OTT services across Europe. To strengthen its presence in the region, Farncombe recently announced it is working with Brazilian telecom consulting firm CMAG. By partnering together, Farncombe and Inview have the experience and solutions to deliver customised OTT solutions, tailored to meet the particular needs of the LatAm marketplace. The T4 OTT platform is leveraging Inview’s Liberator OTT solution, which consists of an end-to-end, modular ecosystem for fast, scalable delivery of OTT services. Liberator includes a cloudbased back office system and service management, together with a ready-made library of TV apps and local content for fast roll out. At the front end it features: l Customisable EPGs and Info Bars that integrate on demand content alongside linear TV; l VoD apps that can be linked to existing billing systems or eWallet services; l A recommendation engine that combines VoD and linear content; l A complete apps library, with access to other app ecosystems, such as Android, if required; l Companion apps for tablet and mobile devices, allowing users to navigate the EPG, manage their recordings and update their schedule Julie Austin, CEO of Inview Solutions, explained that T4 stands for the Turnkey, Tried-and-tested, Transformative, Trusted approach it could provide operators who are looking to deploy an OTT service. “With players such as TotalMovie and Netflix launching across the region, now is the time to take advantage of the OTT opportunity. The region brings various issues on delivery however, and we feel that the modular approach of T4 and lightweight footprint, will provide operators in this region with the flexibility they need to move forward,” she added. Adriana Menezes Whiteley, head of Farncombe’s Strategy Practice, suggested that Latin Americans were quick to demand and embrace innovation, advising that as new consumer segments are joining the market operators must address them with the right products or risk being left behind. “By offering a solution in conjunction with Inview we can help operators navigate these major hurdles and launch a successful OTT service. By working together with Inview we have something different to offer – a sound approach with a flexible delivery option.” during the Confederations Cup tournament in Brazil. FIFA has sent questionnaires to rights holders to assess their interest in 3D coverage for the 2014 tournament, with Ericson suggesting that there is interest from “several broadcasters” in retaining 3D feeds. He added that FIFA was still reviewing the cost of it. As to whether the limited appeal for 3D was temporary and would come back in a few years in a new way “we don’t know” he admitted, adding that FIFA was spending most of its efforts on high definition coverage “and that’s most important for us”. FIFA considers dropping 3D World Cup coverage In the wake of ESPN’s decision to drop its 3D service, football’s governing body FIFA has admitted it is reconsidering 3D coverage of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, describing the ESPN decision as another setback for the format. Niclas Ericson, FIFA’s director of television, said that it was clear when a big sports broadcaster such as ESPN made such an announcement, it created a lot of ‘extra tension for the technology.’ The 2010 World Cup in South Africa saw the first 3D coverage, with 25 of the 64 matches screened in the format, buoyed by what FIFA described at the time, as “rapidly growing consumer interest”. “We are still reviewing whether we should do 3D for the 2014 FIFA World Cup,” Ericson said at a briefing 6 LATAM Briefing