Cloud Force Digital Media, a company that enables programmers and operator partners to distribute content on a variety of interactive, cloud-powered platforms, said it has becoming a card-carrying member of the Reference Design Kit (RDK), the preintegrated software platform for video and broadband devices being managed by Comcast, Liberty Global and Charter Communications.
Cloud Force Digital said its RDK license will help it build, distribute and monetize Internet apps for operators, programmers, service providers and advertisers that use the RDK stack.
Per the company’s web site, Cloud Force Digital said it can help new companies gain access to Comcast’s X1 platform and other cable and digital cloud interactive platforms, and build, distribute and monetize HTML5 apps.
The company also notes that its will “project manage the 4 month application development cycle of the X1 app and create both the sales and marketing presentations to the cable operators in order to secure approval both in the cable test market and a national rollout.”
Once an X1 TV app is approved for market testing, it’s sent to the vendor’s technology partner for an Adobe Primetime “advanced software RDK technical upgrade.” Following the upgrade, Cloud Force Digital Media will help to distribute the X1 app “nationally on cable cloud interactive platforms.”
Comcast’s X1 platform, now deployed to about 45% of the MSO’s video sub base, leans heavily on the RDK. Cox Communications and Shaw Communications are also syndicating X1 for their respective next-gen video platforms. Liberty Global is also adopting RDK for its Horizon TV platform.
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Cloud Force also announced it has partnered with To The New, an India-based firm that has created a “turnkey” video OTT platform for broadcasters, content owners, aggregators and media companies.
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“Cloud Force and the RDK community are both focused on delivering next-generation interactive video services. In addition, by joining forces with TO THE NEW, Cloud Force will be able to deliver transformative apps that are a necessary part of this evolution,” E.J. Klein, Cloud Force’s CEO and founder, said in a statement. Klein is also late of Universal Music Group, HSN, CBC Television and Food Network.
