BigBand Integrates With Widevine To Protect Ad Content

BigBand MSP2000 inserts encrypted ads directly into Widevine protected streams enabling more efficient targeted advertising

November 17, 2008

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Nov. 17, 2008—BigBand Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: BBND), a leader in digital video networking, has expanded interoperability of splicing into encrypted streams on its newly launched Media Services Platform, the BigBand MSP2000, by integrating with Widevine Cypher®.  This gives service providers 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.  Inserting ads directly into encrypted video streams gives service providers an operationally efficient approach to ad targeting, while keeping programming content secure.  

BigBand’s MSP2000 is built to eliminate the expense and operational complexity involved in de-encrypting and re-encrypting content for ad insertion by enabling ad insertion into encrypted streams. This has the added benefit of supporting scalable network-based ad insertion without requiring changes to the set top boxes (STBs), or other consumer premises equipment. Additionally, the BigBand MSP2000 provides the flexibility to locate splicing nearer to the edge of the operator’s network for improved ad targeting without compromising programming security. BigBand has expanded its integrations with tier one encryption companies to support greater interoperability on behalf of service providers for targeted advertising and other personalized services.  Bigband recently integrated the MSP2000 with Widevine Cypher®, a downloadable conditional access, digital rights management and digital copy protection solution used to secure content delivery to STBs, personal video recorders, PCs and Macs.

 “Our goal is to ensure that programming and advertising are delivered securely and timely for consumers regardless of pay media or ad-supported revenue models.” said Doug Light, Widevine’s senior vice president, global sales. “We share a common goal with BigBand to support service providers delivering personalized TV and advertising services securely to all consumers.”

“We pride ourselves in working closely with our customers and partners, such as Widevine, to anticipate and to eliminate the barriers to delivering more relevant advertising,” said John Reister, BigBand’s chief IPTV architect. “Inserting ads directly into secure content streams means that service providers can increase ad relevancy at a lower price point without needing to make a single change on the consumer equipment end.”

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 support flexible advertising models, from national to regional to zoned to fully targeted. 

BigBand is a leader in digital video networking 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.