Astral Media Selects Signiant to Transform VOD Delivery Processes

Astral Media Selects Signiant to Transform VOD Delivery Processes

New System Saves Time and Opens New Revenue Streams

AMSTERDAM - IBC 2009, September 11/PRNewswire/ -- Signiant(R), Inc., the leading developer of content distribution management solutions, announced today that Astral Media, a Canadian media company active in TV, Radio, outdoor advertising and interactive media, has implemented Signiant as it transforms its Video On Demand (VOD) content delivery infrastructure from a manual process to an automated file-based workflow. The move forms part of a collaboration with other major Canadian Cable operators and media and entertainment companies.

Astral Media supplies almost all of the major Canadian Cable companies with content for Video On Demand services. Until recently, content was loaded onto hard disks and couriered around Canada to the various affiliates, then the content was manually transferred into the VOD systems. This method was time-consuming, resource intensive, and did not scale to enable new digital syndication outlets.

"The Signiant installation saves us time in two ways: firstly by sending content over secure ftp instead of by courier, and secondly by enabling us to free up staff from carrying out repetitive tasks which allows us to redeploy them more productively," said Chris Bell, VP Technology, Astral Media. "In addition, by going the secure ftp route we are poised to enable new revenue streams by sending content to emerging IPTV, Mobile and Over-The-Top services by tailoring the content to meet individual format requirements. These opportunities were not economically attractive with the manual processes."

Astral Media's Signiant CDM system is already installed and supplying five Cable operators with digital content, with automated ingest directly into the VOD server systems. A rapid roll-out plan will see several more affiliates enabled within the next couple of months.

"Signiant enables organizations to facilitate a freeform B2B exchange of digital media assets and automate manual processes, allowing our partners to monetize their content in more profitable and efficient ways, " said Tony Lapolito, VP Marketing and Product Management. "Astral Media has embarked on a business transformation that allows it to be more productive with its valuable resources and to realize more revenue opportunities. We are thrilled to partner with them as they transform their business processes."

About Signiant

Founded in 2000, Signiant software is trusted as an essential solution to control the movement of content and automated processes, within and between organizations. The Signiant solution empowers global collaboration during the creation, processing and distribution of digital content - enabling customers to increase revenue, reduce costs and optimize existing asset investment. Signiant is headquartered in Burlington, MA with development facilities in Ottawa, Canada and offices in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, London, Munich and Singapore. Find out more at http://www.signiant.com, and read the Signiant blog at http://www.digitalmediagalaxy.com

IBC 2009, IPTV Zone, Stand 741

          For further information, please contact:      Wendy Mattock, Bubble & Squeak     wendy@bubblesqueak.co.uk     Tel. +44-7912-300231          Tara Bartley, Signiant     tbartley@signiant.com     Tel: +1(781)221-4000  

Source: Signiant

For further information, please contact: Wendy Mattock, Bubble & Squeak, wendy@bubblesqueak.co.uk, Tel. +44-7912-30023; Tara Bartley, Signiant, tbartley@signiant.com, Tel: +1(781)221-4000

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Profile: International Entertainment