Introducing the Switch MasterApp

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MasterApp

By Peter Perera

At Switch we pride ourselves as:-

– Multiplatform specialists on delivering multimedia to many platforms including but not limited to Web, Desktop, Mobile and standalone devices that we have developed ourselves.
– Problem Solvers, we love solving any and all issues you may have distributing media.

On the mobile front we’ve been developing apps for iOS and Android with Xamarin (C#). Xamarin gives us and our customers the agility -to move quickly in the market place while also maintaining feature parity on multiple platforms.

Our experience developing cross platform apps has given us many insights into the best way to develop enabling flexibility while in development as well as in operational support, without needing to change the app in the respective Appstore(s). To that end we found that a lot of our customers shared mostly the same requirements (drill through data, featured content, live with EPG and VOD content, with some slightly different rules around UI, Authenticating Users and Managing Accounts, Device Concurrency Control, Social Integration, Purchasing and Analytics.

The Big Question? How do we increase code sharing, while allowing for customisation of UI and Business rules that change between our customers and platforms?

The answer is the MasterApp.

The MasterApp is a fully functional framework for building cross platform apps. It gives customers the benefits of a shared platform that is constantly improving and keeping up with the latest OS updates. When paired with the Switch Media Manager and its components (analytics, purchases, account management, social, and more) the MasterApp drastically reduces development time and gives us the time to focus on the user experience of the app. The MasterApp offers the capability for a simple re-badge of its existing UI or a completely custom UI that matches your brand.

This advanced solution successfully powered NetworkTEN’s Sochi 2014 app on iOS and Android, contributing to the over 1.34 million video sessions delivered by the Switch Media Manager. Contact us at Switch to find out what the MasterApp could do for you.

 

 

Switch Media delivers services for Network Ten’s coverage of the XX Commonwealth Games 2014

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Sydney, Australia – July 2014 – Multi-screen video specialists Switch Media have partnered with Network Ten to provide multi-device coverage of the XX Commonwealth Games 2014 from Glasgow, Scotland.

Switch Media is supporting delivery of live and on demand Commonwealth Games video footage and results to TENplay website and apps. Switch Media’s cloud based video content management system, the Switch Media Manager, has enabled digital delivery of eight live steams direct from the Games, as well as a system to quickly collect, collate and publish results online.

Switch Media’s complete professional service for Network Ten’s coverage of the Games includes everything from infrastructure, system integration and app development to the provision of internal workflow, management tools and ongoing technical support.

 

Christopher Stenhouse, CEO, Switch Media: “Here at Switch Media, we enable broadcasters and content creators to deliver spectacular internet experience across multiple IP enabled devices. We are excited to be working with Network Ten to deliver a complete broadcast capability of the XX Commonwealth Games in Glasgow for its audience, following our support earlier this year for the XXII Olympic Winter Games in Sochi.”

 

Highlights of service provided

–       Online delivery of eight live streams, including TEN, ONE and six additional channels direct from Glasgow

–       Live to Video on Demand trimming and publishing capability with fast turnaround

–       Bookmark functionality allowing viewers to jump to key moments in a particular sporting event

–       Electronic Program Guide tool providing the ability to easily manage and change the broadcast schedule at any time

–       A DVR window that enables viewers to rewind up to 30-minutes while streaming a live event

–       In-stream ad replacement with custom VAST-compliant ads with a ‘Learn more’ click-through capability

–       Reporting, monitoring and analytics capability

 

Rebekah Horne, Chief Digital Officer, Network Ten: “Our strategy is to bring Network Ten’s content to people anywhere, any time and on any device. Working with Switch Media, we are able to offer Australians a viewing and engagement experience like no other for the XX Commonwealth Games, as we did for the XXII Olympic Winter Games from Sochi, Russia, in February. We are confident our digital coverage of the Glasgow Games will be an outstanding success, providing a consumer content experience that is multi-screen, multi-platform and designed with the user experience as the top priority.”

ETV Direct v2 has launched

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EnhanceTV Direct is an educational video-on-demand archive, giving teachers and students in schools around Australia access to over 18,000 educational programmes from broadcast free-to-air and PayTV channels.

In addition to this library, it has learning tools like Study Guides and the ability to create themes, presentations and video lessons from the content. This version introduces a multitude of new features, amongst them a fresh new design, which uses responsive HTML in order to optimally adapt to most screen sizes, from smartphones to Full HD displays.

All functionality of EnhanceTV Direct is now fully compatible with both desktop and popular mobile devices like iPad and iPhone. In addition to this, a completely redesigned video lesson creation mechanism now allows educators to combine segments and clips from many different programs into one single Video Lesson for presentation in the classroom or assigning to students. Further, EnhanceTV Direct opens up access to the library for students themselves, allowing them to research and present their own material.

For school administrators, the all-new Analytics dashboard provides an insight into key usage statistics of the portal, such as teacher engagement, student activity and bandwidth consumption. All eligible educational institutions can apply for a 3-month trial period.

Channel Ten’s official 2014 Winter Olympics App goes live

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The App referred to as, ‘Sochi 2014 On Ten’ launches today.

Video specialists, Switch Media have built Apps, that allow viewers to watch the Games live and in Catch Up mode on their iOS and Android devices.

The Apps include six dedicated Sochi channels, streaming 24/7 directly from Russia, plus feeds from Channel Ten and ONE HD.

Switch Media’s Apps include a 30-minute DVR window, that allows viewers to rewind up to 30 minutes of an event while streaming it live.

Switch Media underpins IPTV & OTT innovation with Foxtel Play

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Switch Media today announced its role in the development of Foxtel Play – a new internet TV service offering Australian audiences access to Foxtel on Samsung Smart TVs, Xbox 360 game consoles, PC and Mac computers. The service allows customers to watch more than 40 Foxtel channels live and access up to 34 channels of on demand across a range of connected devices on a monthly basis, with no lock-in contract.

Switch Media Co-Founder and Managing Director, Christopher Stenhouse, said; “audience behaviours are rapidly evolving to consuming TV content across a range of devices. Creating customer centric, iteratively developed products like Foxtel Play helps to broaden out access to content in more ways and helps  Australian media businesses to successfully meet these changing demands”.

Switch Media’s work for Foxtel includes the provision of their IP head-end for Foxtel Play and Foxtel Go through their video content management system, the Switch Media Manager, as well as workflow management and digital rights management (DRM) integration services. Switch Media also created the apps for PC, Mac, Android and iOS, along with providing APIs for third parties to create applications on other connected devices, such as smart TVs.

Luke Durham, Switch Media Co-Founder and CTO, said; “it’s exciting to see a technical solution of this scale be deployed and managed using a rapid development approach. It really allows our clients to experiment with services to meet customer demand across a range of devices, including quickly making changes to the solution”.

Michael Ivanchenko, Foxtel’s Director of Product, said; “Foxtel Play is an important step in connecting more Australians with the content they love from Foxtel. Switch Media’s approach has helped us  to bring world class products like Foxtel Play in to service to delight our customers and keep us in step with how audiences choose to enjoy our great content.”

Switch Media has partnered with Foxtel since 2012, including providing the IP head-end and connected device experiences for Foxtel’s award winning  London 2012 Olympics coverage and iPad app.

About Switch Media:

Switch Media specialises in providing custom, multi-device video solutions for customers throughout Asia Pacific. Established in Sydney in 2005, the company works with clients including Fairfax, Foxtel, the ABC, Quickflix and the Australian Federal Government. For more information, visit www.switch.tv

Switch Media helping to expand the reach of the Foxtel Go app with support for Android, PC & MAC

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Live, On Demand and Catch Up TV

Foxtel has announced its highly acclaimed Foxtel Go app is now available across a host of new devices including select Samsung Android tablets and smartphones as well as PC and Mac computers. The new apps, which were developed by Switch Media in conjunction with Foxtel’s creative team, are a continuation of the technology partnership between the two companies. Switch Media also produced the original app services for iPhones and iPads allowing Foxtel subscribers to take their subscription services with them.

The new services, which have been eagerly anticipated dramatically increase the number of ways Foxtel subscribers can take their entertainment with them.  Customers simply download the Foxtel Go app from the Foxtel website or Samsung App Store, enter their Foxtel login and start enjoying great mobile entertainment. In addition Foxtel has increased the number of devices that can be registered to Foxtel Go from two to three.

Jim Rudder, Foxtel Executive Director of Product said, “We’re really pleased with the response we’ve had since Foxtel Go launched late last year. Through our innovation, Foxtel continues to add value for our subscribers and the increase in the number and type of devices consumers can use to access it goes a long way towards delivering on our promise to help even more customers enjoy Foxtel in the home or on the move.”

Christopher Stenhouse, CEO of Switch Media, added: “By taking these initiatives, Foxtel is reinforcing its leadership position in the industry — providing innovative services that meet customers’ needs. With these new services, Foxtel is enabling its customers to access its content, whenever and wherever required, via a simple to use added value service. Given our long-standing relationship with Foxtel, we are delighted to have played our part in developing the new apps.”

Utilising IP head-end services also provided by Switch Media, Foxtel Go is delivering up to 59 live channels and over 50 channels for on demand catch up viewing to Foxtel Pay TV subscribers.

About Switch Media

Switch Media are the multi-screen video specialists.  As well as their cloud based video content management system, the Switch Media Manager, Switch Media’s products and services include online video portals, mobile apps, Digital Rights Management (DRM), real-time analytics, content monetisation, hosting and global distribution.

www.switch.tv

 

About Foxtel

Foxtel is one of Australia’s most progressive and dynamic media companies, directly employing around 2,500 people, and delivering a diverse subscription television service to both regional and metropolitan areas over cable, satellite and broadband distribution. We offer a better entertainment experience every day to each one of our 2.3 million subscribing homes through delivery of exclusive and inspiring programming across all genres, the world’s most popular channel brands, and investment in high quality local content. As constant champions of innovation we have brought customers the iQ personal digital recorder, Australia’s largest HD offering and the Foxtel Go App. Foxtel is owned by Telstra Corporation Limited ACN 051 775 556 (50%) and The News Corporation Ltd (50%). foxtel.com.au

Switch Media delivers music streaming platform to support enhanced Internet delivery service for Satellite Music Australia

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Delivering managed content services for music, video, news and advertising.

Multi-screen video specialists Switch Media today announced it has delivered a new service platform to support the continuing delivery of Satellite Music Australia’s (SMA) managed content services.

With access to the largest digital database in the Southern Hemisphere, SMA delivers licensed content to over 3,000 venues throughout Australia and New Zealand. Content is drawn from over a quarter of a million files and includes audio, music streaming, video entertainment, advertising and marketing solutions.

Armed with a requirement to upgrade its existing service to an internet based platform and at the same time add new end user functionality SMA chose Switch Media’s cloud based platform, the Switch Media Manager, to support the launch of the new service. The Switch Media Manager is also providing workflow management, transcoding services, storage, metadata and rights management, user authentication and user channel access privileges.

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Switch Media helps to create a user-friendly RMIT video service to capture, publish and edit digital media content.

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Delivering video content to enhance research, learning and educational activities.

Multi-platform video specialists Switch Media today announced it has partnered with RMIT Publishing to support the development, delivery and operation of the RMIT video service Informit EduTV.

RMIT Publishing is the leading provider of online research specialising in content from Australia, New Zealand and the Asia Pacific region. Through its Informit brand of online databases and search platforms, RMIT Publishing makes it easy for students and teachers to search, research and discover the content they need to get better results.

Switch Media’s role in delivering the service was to provide RMIT Publishing with a complete workflow solution, IP head-end and a friendly user experience designed specifically to deliver the required functionality.

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Switch Media supports the launch of FOX SPORTS NRL App service for the iPad

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Live, On Demand and Catch Up TV

Following on from their successful development of the Foxtel GO Service, multi-screen video specialists Switch Media have recently delivered platform integration and hosting services to support the operation of Fox Sport’s new NRL app service for iPad.

The new app, now available from the Apple iTunes store, provides LIVE streaming of Fox Sports five weekly matches. In addition, the app provides a VoD catch-up service for all other matches broadcast during each round, access to weekly NRL shows, and other NRL news services.  With unique dedicated fan features such as ‘My Team’ personalization, play-by-play tracking and analysis of all games played through an interactive “Match Centre”, the new app is giving NRL fans unprecedented mobile access to NRL coverage and an enjoyable social environment in which to share their favorite moments.

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Gold for Switch Media’s London 2012 Olympics App

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Multi-screen video specialists Switch Media today announced that the London 2012 Olympics app they developed for Foxtel’s coverage of the Games via iPad and Android was an unparalleled success registering over 150,000 downloads throughout the duration of the world’s greatest sporting spectacle.

Foxtel also used Switch Media’s cloud based video content management system, the Switch Media Manager, to manage and deliver live and On Demand content to tablets, as well as to Samsung connected TVs.

Switch Media CEO Christopher Stenhouse said, “We are delighted to have been selected by Foxtel to develop and produce these innovative video applications. The Olympics is a great event that subscribers clearly enjoyed watching on these next-generation devices. Developing and producing this kind of multi-screen video solution is what Switch Media has built its reputation on and the fact that we are continuing to work with Foxtel, a forward thinking and major regional broadcaster, makes for an exciting future in this space.”

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