Harmonic and Kit Digital have announced a strategic partnership to offer an end-to-end multiscreen video architecture aimed at top-tier video service providers. Harmonic is a leading supplier of video infrastructure, notably encoders. Kit Digital, which has grown through acquisition, absorbing companies like ioko, is a leading enabler of online video platforms for broadcasters and pay-television service providers.
The integrated solution will combine an end-to-end offering using the Kit Cosmos video asset management platform with multi-codec, multi-format processing systems from harmonic, enabling customers to deliver video services for live linear channels, catch-up, start-over and video-on-demand services.
The combination is intended to provide a unified video infrastructure for servicing both traditional broadcast and emerging multiscreen services. It will be offered either on a platform as a service basis or as an on-site private cloud model.
Sharar Bar, responsible for corporate development at Harmonic, said a strategic focus for service and content providers is “to gain operational efficiency while extending service offerings for consumers”.
“As the lines between traditional broadcast and new media distribution channels blur, our clients are demanding an integrated, seamless and cost-effective solution,” said Scott Sahadi, the chief strategy officer for Kit Digital. “This partnership is a natural evolution of an existing relationship, one that we look forward to strengthening and expanding even more through the years.”
The combined platform will compete with offerings such as Cisco Videoscape. Cisco acquired Scientific Atlanta in 2006 and has been making a concerted effort to move into the television business, forecasting that the majority of internet traffic will be video based in the future.
Kit Digital, based in the Czech Republic with offices worldwide, has meanwhile seemingly come from nowhere to create a credible online video platform. The company acquired former informitv client ioko in April, gaining customers including AT&T and BSkyB.
Kit announced its new video platform at the IBC industry show in Amsterdam in September, integrating best of breed elements from technologies it had acquired to offer advanced video services anywhere, anytime.