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Nagravision helps Mediaset offer Italian subscribers even more choice

As one of the leading countries in digital TV, Italy is further cementing its reputation by offering Mediaset subscribers an innovative video-on-demand (VOD) service – called Mediaset Premium On Demand.

The new service provides Mediaset Premium subscribers with high value entertainment content. It’s recorded from digital terrestrial television (DTT) broadcast using a dedicated DTT tuner and an innovative technology solution. Mediaset Premium on Demand was launched towards the end of 2009, and already has attracted over 40,000 subscribers.

Nagravision is the Integrator (General Contractor) for this project, offering an end-to-end solution for Mediaset subscribers. The subscriber VOD (SVOD) service is free both for existing and new Mediaset Premium subscribers.

New subscribers can purchase a set-top box for approximately 139 Euros including a smartcard to enable the Mediaset Premium subscription service. Phase one supports standard definition (SD) content. Phase two, scheduled for later this year, will support high definition (HD) content. The Mediaset Premium on Demand catalogue will contain the last two episodes for many of the TV series’ shown on Mediaset’s linear programming schedule and approximately 50 of the latest movies played on their network in recent weeks.

The aim behind this is to reduce churn and increase subscriber loyalty by offering a new free VOD service, according to Marco Rosini, sales and CRM director at Mediaset. Especially in light of the analogue switch-off, this service might attract those consumers who are debating whether to go for a simple zapper or Mediaset’s more attractive programme offering.

“Mediaset consistently exceeds consumer expectations and this is yet another example of it – offering outstanding programming options which are easy for subscribers to access and enjoy,” says Gionata Brunel, head of services and the integrator's main programme manager, Italy, at Nagravision.

The SVOD technology is integrated into set-top boxes with multiple tuners and a hard drive. An automatic recording feature, controlled by Mediaset, allows programming to be stored on the set-top box and viewed on demand. The solution presents a bandwidth-efficient and user-friendly way to offer VOD services on DTT.

Nagravision has worked with Mediaset since 2004. But with this project, they’re enabling Mediaset to broaden out their offering to the wider Italian public, while at the same time helping grow the DTT pay-TV revolution in Italy.

 

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