Mar. 14, 2018
The rise of the internet has revolutionized the broadcast industry. The days of a fixed program schedule delivered through a small number of terrestrial TV stations are long gone. Instead viewers have access to over-the-top (OTT) and video-on-demand services (VOD) and have become their own program schedulers, with a vast array of content at their fingertips. This programming revolution has gone hand in hand with the explosion of devices that are capable of streaming high-quality video. People are no longer viewing through a single TV in their households. They can access content through a variety of tablets and smartphones wherever―and whenever―they want.
This new video landscape presents some interesting challenges for pay-TV operators. As people are watching more content on multiple devices while on the move, these companies have to be mindful of compliance with licensing, copyright agreements and cultural differences. They need the ability to grant access where viewing is permissible and restrict access where it is not, all while making the end user experience as seamless as possible.
In addition to location, the detection of anonymous proxies and Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) is becoming mandatory for any company looking to address the evolving challenges when it comes to providing a reliable digital rights management (DRM) solution. More companies across the video market spectrum―from studios to telecom companies to technology solutions providers―are looking for additional data parameters to help strengthen their DRM activities while still protecting consumers’ privacy and preserving their video viewing experiences.
“Our clients needed a solution that combined geolocation, VPN and proxy detection so that they could make use of content from studios from which they had the rights,” said Ricardo Lima, director of BOLD S.A.
Headquartered in Uruguay with a focus on the Latin American pay-TV market of middle-sized operators, BOLD has been at the forefront of providing the most innovative solutions and products customized to companies’ unique needs in this space. BOLD will integrate the NetAcuity EdgeTM database, which includes validated, partner-contributed geographic postcode-level data, into its content manager system to help customers comply with industry requirements for video distribution. Additionally, the company will also employ anonymous proxy and VPN databases to help add even more security for its DRM solutions.
IP data is vital for content providers to comply with digital rights licenses, either at a country or regional level. Yet, many are using poor approaches that restrict users who should be able to view content, while allowing access to those who should not. The deployment of accurate IP geolocation technology negates this issue because it accurately identifies the user’s location. Working with less accurate data providers can create false restrictions, leading to disgruntled consumers.
There are many unscrupulous users who try to access content they should not be viewing by masking their location, using proxies or VPNs. Pay-TV operators need to utilize premium IP solutions to ensure they are not falling foul of nefarious methods of internet access.
Advanced proxy databases can identify the type of proxy―such as anonymous―or if the traffic is coming from a hosting center. In addition, it can ascertain from where the proxy emanates, such as a Tor exit, Tor relay, the cloud or through a VPN. Data should be refreshed daily to ensure it is sound. This breadth and depth of this level of proxy information provides the ability to identify more suspicious connections and minimize false positives, enabling the broadcaster to make more informed decisions about allowing or denying access to content.
BOLD has a varied group of clients in Latin America which have continued to show their loyalty through the years, among them NUEVO SIGLO and Montecable. With the integration of the NetAcuity datasets, BOLD will help its clients deliver more accurate and reliable video DRM throughout Latin America.
Read the full press release to learn more details on how BOLD will help pay-TV operators in the LATAM region strengthen their DRM activities.