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Wednesday 1st September



Canal+ Group selects ruwido remote control for satellite HD set-top boxes
MGt launches PayWizard


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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