Latin America. Ericsson and Google have partnered to extend the reach of Ericsson's cloud-based TV platform, MediaFirst, into the ecosystem of Android TV, Google's operating system for set-top-box.
Ericsson MediaFirst is a software-optimized, end-to-end product suite that aims to foster the creation, development, management and distribution of next-generation pay-TV on any screen with an immersive viewing experience.
Ericsson's MediaFirst TV platform puts the future of watching TV in the hands of consumers today, offering intuitive services and enabling TV service providers to operate seamlessly, making it easier for their customers to consume the content they want anytime, anywhere.
The integration of Ericsson's platform with Android TV will offer an additional avenue to extend MediaFirst's cloud-based TV services, including live 4K-UHD channels, video on demand, TV on demand and cloud DVR for an even wider subscriber base.
This partnership with Google will give operators the opportunity to benefit from android TV's growing presence on connected TV operating systems, without the need for additional hardware costs. Operators will be able to partner with Android TV device manufacturers to offer new hardware-based functionality, as well as niche over-the-top (OTT) programming, or deploy additional applications within the Android operating system. Additionally, the collaboration will enable Ericsson to offer multiple, flexible and pre-integrated set-top box solutions that support hybrid satellite, cable, terrestrial and fixed configurations and mobile broadband television.
"By expanding our range of set-top box options, we are giving Ericsson MediaFirst TV customers the opportunity to deliver cutting-edge video services at scale and respond to increased adoption of smart devices, broadband connectivity and cloud-based delivery," said Shiva Patibanda, Head of TV Platforms for Business at Ericsson.
"Our partnership with Google will enable operators of all sizes and resources to take control and take advantage of multiple monetization and partnership opportunities offered by Android TV, enabling them to deliver experiences to their audiences that fully integrate with their pay-TV services, Android TV apps and OTT services."
Ericsson ConsumerLab TV and Media research noted that 56 percent of consumers prefer to receive TV, Internet and mobile services from the same provider, if money is saved, and 22 percent will do so even if it costs as much as the sum of individual services. With the growth of IP video services, this only underscores the challenge operators face in delivering convenient user experiences of weight in a holistic way. The collaboration will allow consumers to enjoy a smoother, more integrated experience, with unique access to OTT content.
