SkyLife Selects NDS XTV Integrated Personal Video Recorder Technology
NDS Group plc, the leading provider of technology solutions for digital pay-TV, today announced that SkyLife has selected NDS XTV(TM) technology for the launch of an integrated personal video recorder service. The commercial launch of the SkyLife PVR service is planned for mid-2006.
SkyLife was the first digital broadcaster in Korea, and is still the only provider of digital broadcasting services with nationwide coverage. SkyLife has experienced remarkable growth rates and currently provides pay-TV services to 1.8 million subscribers, five years after commercial launch.
Mr. Surh Dongkoo, President and Chief Executive Officer of Korea Digital Satellite Broadcasting (SkyLife) said, “SkyLife has achieved many technology firsts in Korea, and the launch of a personal video recorder service is another example of our market leadership and innovation. NDS has been a key partner of SkyLife since launch, and the XTV integrated PVR will take us one step further in being Korea’s digital media leader.”
Ms. Sue Taylor, Vice President and General Manager of NDS Asia Pacific said, “SkyLife has always utilized the most advanced technology to give their viewers a new level of service. From the electronic program guide (EPG) to the PVR service, NDS end-to-end solutions are critical to the operations of SkyLife. We are honored to be a long-term partner of SkyLife, and will work closely with them during the next few months to prepare for the successful launch of the PVR service.”
Using XTV integrated personal video recorder technology, SkyLife subscribers will be able to pause, fast-forward, record one program while watching another, and manage the content that has been saved on the set-top box for added convenience. XTV delivers greater convenience to the SkyLife viewers because it is fully integrated with the NDS end-to-end systems and the EPG. For example, subscribers can view program schedules on the EPG and with one touch, schedule recording for viewing later.
With the deployment of XTV, SkyLife joins other leading global broadcasters, such as BSkyB, DIRECTV, FOXTEL, Sky Latin America, Sky New Zealand and Viasat, in offering the most advanced personal video recorder technology to their subscribers.
XTV platforms worldwide have found the integrated personal video recorder service an effective tool for reducing churn rates and improving buy rates of content, because viewers can watch recorded programming at the time of their choice and only be charged if they actually choose to view the programs.