Wednesday 1st September
Canal+
Group selects ruwido remote control for satellite HD set-top boxes
Austrian remote control specialist ruwido has been selected by Canal+ Group
as remote control supplier for its latest generation of satellite HD set-top
boxes.
ruwido austria has supplied Canal+ Group, the leading pay-TV operator in
France, with the input device for its new HD satellite / IP hybrid set-top
boxes.
The ruwido remote control perfectly meets the sleek black and white design
of the corporate identity of + LE CUBE, the Canal+ Group’s previous
hybrid set-top box, offering consistent branding throughout the product
range. ruwido still supplies the remote control for this STB – the
highest equipped HD set-top box in Europe.
“We are delighted to have once again been selected by Canal+ Group
for a remote control solution that enables quicker and simpler interaction
with interactive services,” said Ferdinand Maier, Managing Director,
ruwido. “We see this decision as a sign of confidence with ruwido and
our business approach. Canal+ Group is providing a remote control device
to its customers that is a joy to use and gives easy access to interactive
services. We are proud to extend the partnership between Canal+ Group and
ruwido.”
This co-operation continues a long term relationship between the two companies
which dates back to 2002, with a number of new products released during
that period. Since 2005 the partnership has been on a single supplier base.
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MGt launches PayWizard
IBC 2010 sees the launch of PayWizard an innovative solution that is set
to revolutionise how micropayments for digital content are monetised. PayWizard
opens up new commercial possibilities for content owners, broadcasters and
service providers to more effectively engage and build profitable long term
relationships with their viewers, a capability that is more important than
ever in this fast-changing and competitive digital entertainment world.
At the core of the new PayWizard solution is a function-rich pre-paid e-wallet
that securely supports micropayment transactions in multiple currencies.
The e-wallet can be topped up in a variety of ways, including direct debit,
one-off or periodic credit card payments and via automated payments based
on a user-defined threshold. PayWizard also manages all traditional subscription-based
pay-TV billing.
A key feature of the PayWizard e-wallet is its ability to support continual
card authorisation, enabling single-click buying. The viewer can thus avoid
time-consuming logins which can lead to consumer frustration and incomplete
transactions, and gain immediate access to their chosen content, leading
to greater viewer satisfaction.
PayWizard supports transactions made on any device, including digital set-top
boxes, connected TVs, mobile devices and online. The PayWizard user interface
on all devices is easy-to-use and intuitive, enabling viewers to initiate
and complete their transactions quickly and easily. A PayWizard account
holder can securely manage all of their account details and preferences
through the easy-to-use PayWizard website.
PayWizard delivers a highly attractive per transaction business model to
content owners, broadcasters and service providers compared to some incumbent
payment solutions that are simply Payment Service Providers (PSP). The result
is greater potential for generating profit.
A unique feature of PayWizard is a rich, web-based dashboard which displays
commercial transaction information as well as providing valuable marketing
information and data on viewer behaviour, all delivered in real-time. This
dashboard provides the content owner, broadcaster or service provider with
instant feedback on transactions, campaign effectiveness, consumption patterns,
revenues and detailed information on the content being purchased, all facilitating
creation of personalised promotions and offers as well as informed cross-device
revenue opportunities.
PayWizard is unique because it was specifically designed and developed with
digital entertainment in mind, leveraging MGt’s expertise gained over
12 years successfully fulfilling the business-critical payment management
requirements of digital TV providers and content owners.
At the heart of the PayWizard platform is the Profile Software Suite, MGt’s
market-leading customer management platform that has been successfully powering
customer management, billing, payment processing and revenue realisation
for MGt’s client base, which includes leading premium content owners,
major broadcasters and pioneering cross-platform service providers.
"We believe that PayWizard fulfils the need in the digital TV industry
for a commercially attractive, multi-device micropayment solution. In the
increasingly diverse and fragmented world of digital media, attracting and
retaining viewers is more challenging than ever and requires a sophisticated
set of tools," commented Stephen Petheram, Marketing Director at MGt.
He continued: "PayWizard not only offers a revolutionary pre-paid e-wallet,
but also provides real-time information crucial to understanding viewer
patterns and tastes, enabling personalised promotions that encourage brand
stickiness and viewer loyalty."
In addition to showcasing the new PayWizard micropayment solution, at IBC
2010, MGt will unveil a number of innovations to the Profile suite to further
enhance the capabilities for content owners, broadcasters and service providers
to benefit from a single view of their customers across all platforms, securely
manage billing and payments and receive real-time information to effectively
develop campaigns and offers to more powerfully engage their viewers.
To see a demonstration of PayWizard, as well as MGt’s other innovations,
media are invited to make an appointment for a booth tour during IBC, September
10-14, 2010. You will also have the opportunity to meet with senior MGt
executives to learn more about MGt and to discuss the issues and trends
facing the digital TV industry in this key area.
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