The Comcast Media Center Introduces a New Fiber-Based Solution for Content Distribution via the HITS Platform

DENVER, May 6 /PRNewswire/ -- National Cable Show -- HITS®, a business unit of the Comcast Media Center, (CMC - Cable Show Booth #2141) today announced a national terrestrial fiber distribution service for delivering video programming to cable MSOs. The new solution is made possible by the cable industry expertise of the CMC, supported by tier 1 conditional access from Verimatrix and video processing and delivery powered by Harmonic Inc.  The HITS fiber-based solution provides industry-proven content security and addresses access control concerns.

The new fiber service uses the expansive Comcast network to deliver video content to its HITS affiliates. Connecting to the fiber network makes it easier for MSOs to broaden their portfolio of HD to their subscribers today, and adds a wide array of services in the future, including iTV, 3DTV and more. The HITS fiber-based solution can either be used for the primary delivery of video content or serve as a redundant, backup path for satellite-delivered programming in the event of satellite interruptions, thereby reducing downtime and minimizing the impact to customers. The CMC can help MSOs develop a fiber strategy now that will be available by the fourth quarter of 2010.

"The new HITS fiber-based solution represents the evolution of transport technology in the cable business today," said Gary Traver, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the CMC.  "Fiber delivery has the bandwidth and resiliency to deliver the large number of video services and encoding formats that can help MSOs compete in today's environment. The HITS fiber-based solution offers a reliable and potentially cost-effective content delivery method that an MSO can leverage in their long-term business strategy to add future services and revenue streams. "

Content security provided by Verimatrix and Harmonic provide key components that help enable HITS to deliver content to third parties through a centralized fiber infrastructure. "Verimatrix, the clear leader in software-based content and revenue security solutions, is pleased to be recognized as a strategic vendor helping to power the new HITS fiber solution," said Steve Oetegenn, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer for Verimatrix. "Our strong partnership with Harmonic enabled a rapid integration of all necessary components, creating a secure flexible platform on which to deliver the business services of the future."

"Working closely with the CMC and Verimatrix, we implemented an integrated and centrally managed solution for video processing at the edge, including scrambling, descrambling and blackout management. Harmonic's ability to support a wide range of compression standards allows us to address the wide scope of video encoding requirements from the CMC's MSO customers," added Nimrod Ben-Natan, Vice President of Product Marketing, Solutions and Strategy for Harmonic Inc.

A spring 2010 HITS study found that more than two-thirds of MSOs surveyed had plans to centralize services and fiber their headends together. Once an MSO has a local fiber system established, it can connect to the HITS fiber-based solution either directly or through a last mile provider. MSOs can take advantage of centralized 24/7 content management capabilities to receive and deliver video services to their subscribers at a fraction of the cost for building their own infrastructure.  

About HITS

HITS multiplatform content distribution services are designed to help MSOs optimize operating cash flow and create additional sources of revenue beyond traditional cable. HITS services include linear and fiber programming delivery, Video On Demand, conditional access and interactive services.  HITS is operated by Denver-based Comcast Media Center (CMC), a subsidiary of Comcast Cable.  CMC provides centralized content management and distribution solutions for cable systems, video content providers and advertisers.  More information about HITS and the CMC is available at http://www.comcastmediacenter.com

About Harmonic

Harmonic Inc. is redefining video delivery with the industry's most powerful solutions for delivering live and on-demand video to TVs, PCs and mobile devices. Harmonic's technical innovation and market leadership enable the company to offer a unique and comprehensive solution portfolio—including encoding, transcoding, content preparation, stream processing, asset management, edge processing, and delivery. Broadcast, cable, Internet, mobile, satellite and telecom service providers around the world choose Harmonic's IP-based digital video, software, and broadband edge and access solutions. Using these award-winning and industry-leading solutions, operators can reduce costs and differentiate their services by offering consumers a higher quality, personalized multi-screen experience.

Harmonic (HLIT) is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California with R&D, sales and system integration centers worldwide. The Company's customers, including many of the world's largest communications providers, deliver services in virtually every country. Visit www.harmonicinc.com for more information.

About Verimatrix

Verimatrix is the global leader in software-based pay-TV content security and sets the standard for content and revenue security solutions for pay-TV networks, with a global customer base of premier service providers. For more information, please visit www.verimatrix.com or our Pay TV Views blog to join the conversation.

Comcast, Comcast Media Center and Express Lane are trademarks or registered trademarks of Comcast. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE Comcast Media Center