U.K’s Channel 5 Adds IP Geolocation to Help Manage Video-on-Demand Content

Online digital rights management can be complex, but IP geolocation data simplifies the process and provides the flexibility to quickly respond to constantly changing rules for content distribution.

Channel 5, one of the U.K.’s leading broadcasting companies that attracts more than 42 million weekly viewers via its family of channels, has deployed IP geolocation technology to manage the geographic rights of its internet-based TV and film content. In addition, Channel 5 will use data to determine a user’s ISP type, allowing optimization of the viewing experience.

Due to content providers’ licensing terms, the broadcaster must be able to restrict the viewing of its TV and film content, that includes shows such as “Dallas,” “CSI” and “Big Brother” to certain countries. By using real-time IP geolocation data, Channel 5 can permit access to its content where agreements are in place, and can restrict viewing where it is prohibited. Channel 5 can also use ISP-derived data to anonymously identify the viewer’s ISP, allowing optimal routing of video content across the network to enhance the viewing experience.

“Channel 5’s online reach is expanding rapidly due to the adoption of new connected devices,” commented Clive Malcher, head of product development and technology, Channel 5. “Now, more than ever, we need to be confident that we are complying with our content rights agreements across all the territories we serve, and it is of paramount importance to our business that the IP data we use to do this is accurate.”

To learn more about digital rights management for video-on-demand content, read the full press release here.