thePlatform Expands Role as BT's Centralized Video Publishing System for BT TV

- thePlatform signs multiyear expansion agreement with BT to provide cloud-based video management to IP-based set-top boxes -

SEATTLE, Aug. 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- thePlatform, the leading white-label video publishing company and independent subsidiary of Comcast, today announced it has signed an expanded, multiyear agreement with BT, one of the UK's leading providers of TV, broadband and telephony services. Specifically, thePlatform's mpx system will serve as the cloud-based, central video publishing system for BT TV, and support other video-related 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. Under the new multiyear agreement, thePlatform will continue that role for BT's new YouView+ box, and host the service via thePlatform's European datacenter. 

"At BT, we're committed to bringing UK subscribers an exceptional in-home video experience, and thePlatform plays a critical role behind-the-scenes to make that happen," said Greg McCall, Chief Operating Officer for television and content at BT. "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."

"BT remains a global pioneer by adopting a cloud-based video architecture for its next-generation TV service," said Marty Roberts, co-CEO of thePlatform. "We're extremely proud to sign this new multiyear agreement with BT to help manage their video publishing efforts. 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."

thePlatform's mpx video management system provides several key functions for BT. Specifically, mpx provides easy workflow management of video ingest; metadata management; data coordination with recommendations engines; subscriber management; viewing rights enforcement; and automated video publishing to set-top boxes. mpx's open architecture integrates with a variety of BT's internal systems and technology from other vendors for content delivery, customer premise equipment (CPE), and user interface software.

More information about BT's TV services can be found at www.BT.com. Additional information about thePlatform can be found at www.thePlatform.com.   

About thePlatform
thePlatform™ is the leading white-label video management and publishing company. Media companies rely on thePlatform as their open, central hub for managing, monetizing, and syndicating billions of professionally produced video views annually. The company's services provide unmatched versatility for designing and supporting video businesses on PCs, mobile, and TV. Customers include: A+E Networks, Bell Media, BT, Cablevision, CBC, Comcast, Cox Communications, E!, Engage Sports Media, the Golf Channel, Fox Sports, HIT Entertainment, Liberty Global, LSDLive, NBC Local Media, NBC Sports, Outdoor Channel, Oxygen, Rogers, Shaw Media, Style, Syfy, Telstra, Time Warner Cable, Travel Channel Media, truTV, USA Network, Viaplay, and numerous others. With more than a decade history of service, thePlatform is an independent subsidiary of Comcast based in Seattle, Wash. For more information: www.thePlatform.com.