• Transatlantic fiber connectivity and UK uplinking
• Access to Sky Digital platform via an Arqiva Eurobird multiplex
• Allows US company to operate as if a UK broadcaster

Washington, DC:  US broadcast channel IPTV has chosen Arqiva as its key content distribution platform to expand into the European market. 

Arqiva recently acquired two teleports and fiber networks in the United States which offer direct access to Arqiva's extensive distribution capabilities within the UK and Europe.  With this new infrastructure in place, Arqiva "has landed", says Simon Thrush, Senior Vice President and head of Arqiva's US operation.  "We are now positioned as the major international gateway to Europe for American broadcasters. Our ability to take content from the US market and directly distribute it within Europe allows us to offer customers faster and simpler implementation times and more cost effective services," he continues.

For IPTV, using Arqiva simplifies distribution so that, once the content leaves their facilities in Santa Monica, all elements of the onward distribution are taken care of by Arqiva.  From Arqiva's teleport in Los Angeles, content is delivered across the Atlantic by fiber directly to one of Arqiva's many Eurobird multiplexes in the UK  It then appears as part of the Sky direct-to-home (DTH) platform in the UK as channel 670.  "Rather than deal with multiple parties to enable distribution outside the US, our customers only have to work with one entity - we are a total end-to-end service package," explains Thrush.   

This is the first contract to take full advantage of the cost and distribution benefits of using Arqiva's new North American assets.  IPTV's founder, Michael Reinstein says: "Using the Arqiva gateway allows us to cut costs for origination and allows us to operate virtually as if we were a UK-based broadcaster.  This in turn, allows us to deliver better quality programming."   Reinstein continues, "Arqiva also has the technical expertise we look for -they've been in the broadcast business for years and have a solid understanding of what full-service means and what the customer expects, particularly in the European distribution market."

Another reason IPTV chose Arqiva is the company's reputation for customer and service support.  Reinstein continues, "It's very reassuring to know that Arqiva is not a newcomer to this industry.  And it shows in many ways.  They're willing to work with you to offer you the solutions you need, and sometimes options you hadn't even thought of, plus deliver the kind of quality you expect from a global broadcast leader."

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