Red Bee Media launches next generation video player
Red Bee Media, responsible for managing more than 90% of broadcaster video on demand content consumed in the UK, has launched RedPlayer, the first ‘media grade’, end-to-end, next-generation online video platform.
RedPlayer allows broadcasters and content owners in the UK and internationally to deliver and monetise high quality video to multiple devices, including iPhone, iPad and Playstation, in a secure and scalable manner.
The broadcast services company, which manages the content for the BBC iPlayer, ITV Player, Channel 4’s 4OD, Channel Five’s Demand Five and the Virgin Media Player, has developed RedPlayer to introduce to market an enhanced online video platform, and to become an end-to-end provider of video management and distribution.
RedPlayer has been created in response to a growing demand for broadcast quality online video platforms that offer a secure and quality player service that can be monetised – a requirement fuelled by the advent of connected TV and growth in consumption of video across multiple devices.
Key features of RedPlayer include: a higher quality of image and smoother playback; sophisticated security using the latest digital rights managements (DRM) platforms; integration of live content with intelligent EPG that links past, present and future programming in a personalised manner; and fast availability of programmes available online immediately after linear transmission.
Additionally, RedPlayer enables businesses to profit from the growing online video market by offering flexible options for multiple purchase types including subscription, download to own, rental and capped or uncapped library access, using Cisco Videoscape Media technology. These options sit alongside dynamic and targeted advertising capabilities.
“The online video market has rapidly evolved, driven by consumer demand for higher quality and a greater variety of content made available across multiple platforms. As a result businesses need to deliver a better experience with intuitive search and recommendation tools through a better user interface. With critical mass has come the first real opportunity to profit from video online which has heralded flexible and simple payment models delivered by RedPlayer,” said Bill Patrizio, CEO of Red Bee Media.
“Online video is to become a standard component of our clients’ channel mix. The scope of RedPlayer is refined to enable our clients to make strategic decisions – on availability, monetization, content protection, dynamic advertising and the multi-platform user experience.”
RedPlayer comes to market at a time when online video is growing rapidly. In April 2011 26.9m people in the UK streamed video from home and work computers, according to research by Nielsen VideoCensus. Cisco predicts that by 2013 video content will account for 90% of all online traffic.