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September 01, 2016

NAGRA and Samsung introduce TVkey, the direct-to-TV solution for 4K UHD viewing

  • With TVkey consumers can enjoy premium content in 4K UHD quality directly on new TV sets
  • For pay-TV operators, TVkey enables a wide range of efficient customer acquisition models like retail bundling with TV sets or offering content packages such as a football season in combination with a TVkey dongle
  • TVkey offers operators the easiest route to market for 4K services without additional investment in additional equipment
  • End-to-end security from TV silicon to TVkey device meets stringent Hollywood requirements for protection of 4K and HDR content
  • The TVkey framework will be made available to other television and security vendors to accelerate widespread adoption of the specification

Cheseaux, Switzerland - September 1, 2016 - NAGRA, a Kudelski Group (SIX:KUD.S) company, the world's leading independent provider of content protection, today announced the launch of the TVkey USB device, the direct-to-TV security solution for pay-TV operators that allows consumers to sign up for pay-TV services directly on selected new Samsung TVs, while meeting all key MovieLabs requirements for Enhanced Content Protection (4K UHD, HDR, early release).

With TVkey consumers will be able to enjoy premium content in 4K UHD quality directly on new TV sets through a simple sign-up process and with a single remote control unit. The TVkey approach offers a fast, secure and low entry barrier route to market for pay-TV operators launching 4K services directly to new consumer TV sets.

The cost optimized form factor of TVkey USB devices will enable innovative and low-touch consumer logistics including bundling the device with the TV set. Such an approach can radically simplify the customer acquisition process with pay-TV services working straight out of the box. Through a simple sign-up process, either via a TV app, a web portal or a call center, consumers can easily sign up for a pay-TV service package. Operators can also use free preview periods in order to entice consumers into becoming loyal customers. And because no additional set-top box or installation is required, the customer acquisition costs and CAPEX can be dramatically lowered.

The TVkey framework is based on a NAGRA-designed root of trust in TV chips that communicates securely with the TVkey device. This creates a Secure Media Path and enables strict enforcement of usage rules as required by Hollywood for the protection of high-value content. TVkey also provides a platform for hardware-based watermarking and operator-controlled device service revocation.

In 2017, NAGRA and Samsung plan to establish an independent TVkey Trust Authority to license the TVkey technology to other TV manufacturers and security vendors to enable widespread deployment of the solution.

"The TVkey low CAPEX approach will enable a range of new business models that drive service take-up while significantly diminishing subscriber acquisition costs,” said Maurice van Riek, NAGRA SVP Content and Asset Security. “We achieve this goal by using the world’s most trusted content protection solutions alongside open standards like USB2, HBBTV, HTML5 to ensure effective security and offer the possibility for a feature-rich, operator-branded user experience.”

The first TVkey market deployment will take place in the final quarter of 2016, and multiple leading pay-TV operators across two continents will launch their TVkey-based services in 2017.

Direct-to-TV solutions based on the new TVkey framework will be demonstrated on the NAGRA stand, Hall 1.C81, at IBC 2016 in Amsterdam (8-12 September 2016). For more information on NAGRA’s IBC presence, please visit dtv.nagra.com/ibc.
 

About NAGRA
NAGRA, a digital TV division of the Kudelski Group (SIX:KUD.S), provides security and multiscreen user experience solutions for the monetization of digital media. The company provides content providers and DTV operators worldwide with secure, open and integrated platforms and applications over broadcast, broadband and mobile platforms, enabling compelling and personalized viewing experiences. Please visit dtv.nagra.com for more information and follow us on Twitter at @nagrakudelski.

Contacts
Ivan Schnider
Marketing Communications
+41 21 732 09 40
[email protected]

Christine Oury
Marketing Communications
+1 415 962 5433
[email protected]