News Release
Charter Selects Ascent Media Group to Deploy Streamlined VOD Asset Management System
ST. LOUIS , MO and SANTA MONICA, CA – Charter Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:CHTR) and Ascent Media Group, Inc. today announced a definitive agreement for Charter to deploy Ascent Media's video on demand (VOD) asset traffic and management system, providing Charter complete end-to-end visibility and control over VOD content during the entire distribution process.
Ascent Media's VTMS (VOD Traffic and Management System) is an end-to-end VOD content management solution that tracks VOD titles from inception through distribution and propagation into VOD servers. “VTMS includes a complete system for ingesting, validating and localizing metadata, tracking the distribution of VOD assets through third party satellite or terrestrial networks, and managing asset propagation into VOD servers,” explained Rich Fickle, Executive Vice President, Ascent Media Group. “In addition, VTMS is the first VOD asset management solution to fully integrate with VOD servers capturing internal server-side content state information and usage reporting. The solution has been designed to work across multiple VOD servers and delivery systems, and allows content providers greater tracking capabilities over their titles including real time verification of successful delivery into head ends, ingestion into local VOD servers, and reporting on the performance of their content.”
In making the joint announcement, Sue Hamilton, Charter Senior Vice President of Programming said, “The cable industry has always lacked a reliable solution that offers end-to-end management and visibility into the entire distribution lifecycle of VOD content and operations. As the need for video-on-demand services and content continues to grow, so has our need for a scalable and easily manageable infrastructure. Ascent Media recognized this challenge and created a superior, easy-to-use solution that will not only streamline content management, but also improves our overall business operations in this space. Their solution allows us to take full ownership of our VOD delivery infrastructure for the first time.”
Ms. Hamilton said VTMS will first be deployed in Charter markets using nCube VOD technology.
“This agreement with Charter is a significant step forward for Ascent Media's vision of enabling the delivery of content and services leveraging our existing core competencies in media management, providing us with a marketplace opportunity to streamline current operations and scale VOD content management services,” Mr. Fickle said. “We're pleased to deliver Charter new means for managing VOD content through a scalable, open architecture, Web-enabled software that doesn't require the purchase of any additional costly equipment at the head-end.”
About Charter Communications
Charter Communications, A Wired World Company®, is the nation's third-largest broadband communications company. Charter provides a full range of advanced broadband services to the home, including cable television on an advanced digital video programming platform via Charter Digital® and Charter High-Speed Internet Service®. Commercial high-speed data, video and Internet solutions are provided under the Charter Business Networks® brand. Advertising sales and production services are sold under the Charter Media brand. More information about Charter can be found at www.charter.com
About Ascent Media Group
Ascent Media Group is a provider of services to the media entertainment industry, offering clients effective solutions for the creation, management and distribution of content through more than 70 facilities worldwide. A wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation (NYSE: L, LMC.B), Ascent Media Group is headquartered in Santa Monica, CA. More information about Ascent Media Group can be found at www.ascentmedia.com
CONTACT:
Dave Mack
Charter Communications
303-323-1392
dmack@chartercom.com
Barry Stagg
Ascent Media Group
310-434-7025
bstagg@ascentmedia.com