RCN has deployed SeaChange International's AssetFlow content workflow management software as part of centralizing the way it processes video-on-demand for its five markets.
The move eliminates redundant VOD content and metadata processing, with a single centralized content-processing operation serving RCN's VOD libraries in Boston; Chicago; New York City; Lehigh Valley, Pa., and Philadelphia; and Washington, D.C. According to the companies, RCN reduced the amount of work and cost for VOD content processing by 80%.
Upon ingest of VOD assets, the AssetFlow system automatically formats the content for viewing, adds metadata, and localizes the content to incorporate site-specific information for the particular market in which it will be available. RCN uses SeaChange's Universal Media Library to store all VOD content along with the associated metadata; UML also provides a backup function that lets it deliver content to any market in the event a local site experiences an outage.
"Incorporating AssetFlow into RCN's VOD infrastructure is significantly improving the overall efficiency of our on-demand service," RCN senior director of video engineering Jason Nealis said. "We've been able to move faster and radically reduce the workload that goes into supplying content for our world class on-demand offering, which we anticipate will also allow RCN to realize operating cost savings."
RCN has used SeaChange back-office software and VOD servers since 2003. The operator, a competitive provider of cable TV, broadband and phone service, went private in a $1.2 billion acquisition last year by private-equity firm ABRY Partners.
