thePlatform, the Comcast-owned online video unit, said it has inked an expanded, multiyear agreement with BT, a top provider of TV, broadband and telephony services in the U.K.
Under the revised deal, thePlatform’s flagship mpx system will serve as the cloud-based, central video publishing system for BT TV and will support other BT-led video initiatives. Previously, thePlatform served as the back-end video management system for BT’s IP-based TV services, which now serve over one million subscribers in the UK. With the new deal, thePlatform will continue that role for BT’s new YouView+ box and host the service via thePlatform’s European datacenter.
“By expanding our relationship with thePlatform, we are leveraging their locally hosted infrastructure and secure cloud-based software to give us the speed, flexibility and scalability required to meet our evolving needs,” said Greg McCall, COO for television and content at BT, in a statement.
“BT’s approach serves as a model for other global pay TV operators that are seeking more efficient and scalable ways to centralize video publishing via IP-based devices,” added Marty Roberts, co-CEO of thePlatform.
BT and thePlatform announced their original partnership last March, a deal that came to be after BT wound down its use of Microsoft Mediaroom, a video platform that has since been acquired by Ericsson.
Other customers of thePlatform include Bell Media, BT, Cablevision Systems, Comcast, Cox Communications, Liberty Global, Rogers Communications and Time Warner Cable, among others
