News Releases

BigBand Team with Verimatrix On Secure Ad Insertion

BigBand MSP2000 enables advertisement splicing into Verimatrix VCAS® encrypted content streams while maintaining the security of primary programming content

November 17, 2008

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Nov. 17, 2008—BigBand Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: BBND), a leader in digital video networking,  announced today interoperability between its recently unveiled media services platform, the BigBand MSP2000, and Verimatrix’s Video Content Authority System (VCAS).  This provides a cost-effective solution for inserting advertising on encrypted high-definition and standard-definition video streams, in both MPEG-2 and MPEG-4/H.264 formats. The ability to insert ads directly into encrypted streams improves the operational efficiency of ad targeting while maintaining the security of programming content.

BigBand’s MSP2000 is designed to eliminate the expense and operational complexity involved in de-crypting and re-encrypting content for ad insertion by enabling ad insertion into encrypted streams. This supports scalable network-based ad insertion without changes to set-top boxes or other customer premises equipment. Additionally, the BigBand MSP provides the flexibility to locate the splicing nearer to the edge of the operator’s network for even greater ad targeting without compromising programming security. BigBand has expanded its integrations with tier one content encryption companies to support greater interoperability on behalf of service providers for targeted advertising and other personalized services. The successful integration with the Verimatrix VCAS supports end-to-end security for IPTV and pay-TV services essential to the delivery of personalized video services.

“We’re pleased to work with BigBand to expand the applications of VCAS content protection and to enable new business approaches in secure content delivery,“ said Steve Oetegenn, chief sales and marketing officer, Verimatrix. . “Now more than ever, the move to personalized TV and content delivery over multiple devices in a secure environment requires smart and flexible technology that protects valuable content and makes encryption seamless to the consumer.”

 “Content protection is a vital part of the service provider ecosystem,” said John Reister, BigBand’s chief IPTV architect. “In partnership with Verimatrix, we can now produce MPEG-compliant content streams including seamless ad insertions. As a result, our network-based MSP2000 platform makes it easier and more cost-effective for service providers to achieve ad revenue goals with their existing architectures and customer premises equipment.”

The BigBand MSP2000 gives service providers the ability to offer TV advertising with greater scale, affordability and higher performance than traditional approaches. BigBand’s MSP2000 incorporates robust ad insertion capabilities that enable scalable and seamless splicing that support flexible advertising models, from national to regional to zoned to fully targeted.

BigBand is a leader in digital video networking and intelligent platforms. The company’s solutions, a combination of network bandwidth management techniques and advanced media processing, are deployed by six of the top 10 broadband service providers in U.S. and with more than 200 operators worldwide. An innovator in advanced advertising solutions since 2002, BigBand implements over 700 million advertising transactions a year. Its solutions are widely deployed by major operators including the leading U.S. cable interconnect, Los Angeles-based Adlink.

About BigBand Networks

BigBand Networks, Inc. [NASDAQ: BBND] provides broadband service providers with innovative network solutions designed to make it easier to move, manage and monetize video. These solutions are based on BigBand's video-networking platforms that are built to enable efficient and reliable delivery of video, voice and data across a wide range of services, including digital TV, high definition TV, addressable advertising, video-on-demand, interactive TV, Internet TV, video telephony, high-speed Internet and voice-over-IP. BigBand Networks' customers include more than 100 service providers—including six of the ten largest service providers in the U.S.—and leading cable and telco service providers in North America, Asia, Europe and Latin America. BigBand Networks is based in Redwood City, Calif., with offices worldwide. For additional information about the company, please call +1.650.995.5000, email info@bigbandnet.com or visit www.bigbandnet.com.