MultiscreenTV Everywhere

ACCESS Europe appoints Joop van Kammen to the new role of VP Global Sales TV Markets

Posted on by ACCESS Europe

We are pleased to share the great news that Joop has re-joined ACCESS to take up the new post of VP Global Sales TV Markets. He will draw on his impressive leadership and video expertise to enable further customer success by making the most of the broad ACCESS solution portfolio.

With more than 30 years of experience in sales working for many leading international organizations, Joop re-joins ACCESS, where he was previously responsible for SoC relationships and TV manufacturer customers with a focus on China and India. His most recent role was with the technology and transition firm Consyst BV, where he helped clients to excel by becoming better, faster and more efficient and cost-effective.

“It’s great to be re-joining ACCESS at this revolutionary time for TV operators with the convergence of broadcast and OTT services,” says Joop, “The combination of ACCESS’ video-centric browser solutions, smart TV App portals, media sharing and SoC pre-integration gives operators the opportunity to reduce costs and time to market, whilst expanding their customer’s viewing portfolio and brand engagement.”

Joop’s appointment comes at an exciting time for the video industry, as it continues to evolve rapidly while becoming more complex and competitive. As a result, operators must ensure they have the best technology solutions and partners to deliver their business goals and successfully navigate the challenging video and TV market, both now and into the future. Joop will be central in communicating and delivering the ACCESS vision to our customers and helping them deploy from our broad solution portfolio, from content sourcing and app stores through to video-centric device clients. Joop holds and an MBA and an MBI (Master of Business Informatics).

Discussing the appointment to this new post, Masahiro Aono, CEO, ACCESS Europe, said: “I’m pleased to welcome Joop back into the ACCESS family as VP Global Sales TV Markets to signify our commitment to the operator TV market.” says, “His extensive market experience alongside a proven business development and sales track record means we can more effectively help operators navigate today’s complex and diverging TV technology choices and make informed business decisions. Together, Joop and ACCESS will guide operators towards the right path for their business, whatever their current technology choices and future plans.”

If you’d like to get in touch with Joop his LinkedIn profile is: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joop-van-kammen-mba-mbi-1bb7a0/.

MultiscreenTV Everywhere

NetRange Portal gains upgraded Globoplay App to expand content reach to all connected devices throughout Brazil

Posted on by ACCESS Europe

São Paulo, Brazil and Hamburg, Germany, 14 November, 2022 – NetRange MMH GmbH (‘NetRange’), the global provider of white-labelled, turnkey Smart TV and OTT ecosystems, today announced that the NetRange Portal now has the upgraded Globoplay App to expand its content reach throughout Brazil on Smart TV and all connected devices.

“LATAM is an incredibly important content region for NetRange. The relationship with Globoplay is a win-win for both companies. By enabling Smart TVs and connected devices to access Globoplay’s leading content, we strengthen our relationships with the leading TV manufacturers for the region, which in turn enables Globoplay to maximize its reach in Brazil,” said Michi Uemetsu, CTO, ACCESS CO., LTD. “Globoplay shares our commitment to providing viewers with exceptional content combined with a premium user experience: with the latest NetRange Portal we enable Globoplay to provide smarter and better vídeo to TVs and all connected devices throughout Brazil.”

Globoplay, the largest Brazilian streaming platform, includes content from TV Globo, the largest Brazilian and Latin American TV network and also offers channels such as Globo News, Sportv 1 Sportv 2 and Sportv 3, Universal TV, Studio Universal, SYFY and Canal Brasil and Futura. Users can also enjoy popular series including ‘Desalma’ and ‘Departure’ and follow their favourite football teams in Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A and B.

NetRange Smart TV Portals and App Stores provide the simplest route for content creators, TV manufacturers and media and entertainment distributors to ride the connected and smart TV wave. NetRange provides portal and ecosystem solutions to CE device manufacturers, infrastructure providers (satellite, cable and telecommunications), OEMs/ODMs and retailers. The NetRange service portfolio covers all necessary process stages: business model, UI design and concept, backend development and construction, integration of the portal into the hardware, and finally, live operation. As part of the NetRange aim to provide portals with the simplest route to smart and connected TV, NetRange handles integration work with operators as well as all the certification and testing procedures with Smart TV manufacturers, SoC vendors and content brands. NetRange provides continuous portal development and maintenance as well as the expansion of its worldwide content portfolio. NetRange portals and ecosystems can be run as global solutions or designed for specific countries.

About NetRange
NetRange, an ACCESS CO., LTD. company (Tokyo Stock Exchange First Section Index, 4813), is a leading pioneer of Smart TV and a global provider of white labelled, turnkey Smart TV and OTT ecosystems and app stores.

NetRange operates an integrated, full-service solution which includes UI design, payment, billing and customer management, content aggregation, backend services including global CDN, second level support and app development for more than 100 global CE, TV, STB, retailer and operator brands, including Vodafone, Grundig, Arçelik, TCL, Skyworth, Sharp, Loewe, Changhong, IKEA, MSH, Thomson HD+. Its fully featured Smart TV Appstore includes local and global premium VoD stores, linear TV channels via IP, cloud games, live sports, music and lifestyle apps. It makes media content available for TV users in over 100 countries around the world.

In addition, NetRange also leverages its content relationships and broadcast technology expertise to provide ACCESS TwineTM for Car, a connected car infotainment platform and VISNOS, a client-based Smart TV OS that significantly reduces the BOM cost for TV manufacturers through enabling a full Smart TV through devices with low-powered CPUs.

About Globoplay
Globoplay is Brazil’s largest video streaming platform, offering free and exclusive content to subscribers. The service brings together Globo original content and Brazilian independent production companies, renowned international films and series, including exclusive productions available only for online streaming. The platform also includes the full offer of Globo’s linear channels through Globoplay + Live Channels, which bring together in one single place, besides TV Globo, cable channels like Multishow, Globonews, Sportv 1, Sportv 2, Sportv 3, GNT, Viva, Gloob, Gloobinho, Off, Bis, Modo Viagem, Megapix, Universal TV, Studio Universal, SYFY, Canal Brasil and Futura. An all-in-one platform, with the most complete and varied offer of content for the public to access on any device, at any time, wherever they are.

AutomotiveConnected car

Stingray and ACCESS make every journey a sing-a-long

Posted on by Robert Guest

Oberhausen, Germany, 22 November 2022 – ACCESS Europe GmbH announces that it will integrate Karaoke services, powered by Stingray, into the ACCESS Twine™ for Car (Twine4Car) in-vehicle infotainment platform. Stingray Karaoke supports both a touch screen and voice-controlled in-car experience that is designed to enable drivers and passengers to safely learn, practice, and perform their favourite songs and make every journey more fun!

Stingray Karaoke offers drivers a unique in-car experience by allowing them to tap into a catalogue of up to 100,000 licensed songs. Local and international content can be enjoyed in many languages, including English, Spanish, Korean, Japanese, Portuguese and German. The platform has high-quality original concept background videos and images with easy-to-read, synchronized scrolling lyrics cues that appear directly on the screen. The innovative user interface is customisable to bring a more personalised experience to the customer.

Aono Masahiro, CEO, ACCESS Europe, said: “Karaoke is popular globally, and is something I really enjoy. By integrating Stingray Karaoke with our in-vehicle entertainment solution we are providing an experience similar to that provided by the recent growth in Asia of single-person karaoke rooms. OEMs can be confident that the ACCESS and Stingray solution will provide an in-car entertainment experience that drivers and passengers look forward to every journey, allowing them to sing along to the songs and lyrics they know and love in the comfort of their own vehicle.”

Tom Adams, Managing Director, Stingray Germany GmbH, said: “Through this partnership, ACCESS and Stingray have a shared vision of providing the best possible experience to our song-loving, connected car users. By integrating our APIs with the ACCESS in-vehicle entertainment solution, we move closer to our goal of connecting with Karaoke fans anywhere and anytime.”

The new version of Twine4Car includes content from several media partners and a wide range of apps, TV services, and VOD offerings for many markets. Features such as Sync Play will be beneficial when using Stingray Karaoke as it enables multiple passengers to relish a more group-centric experience.

Other features in Twine4Car include:

    • TWINE App Store:
      A dedicated in-car app store enables OEMs to make a wide selection of apps available to drivers and passengers within their own branded in-car platform.
    • Monetisation and data support:
      OEMs can forge new business models within the car through pre- and post-roll video advertising for Head Units and Rear Seat Entertainment (RSE).
    • Native Android app support:
      Twine4Car allows for the seamless integration of Android native applications, creating an immersive user experience via the OEM-branded IVI interface. This enables OEMs to completely control the services and create an ideal UX for native apps and embedded or API-based services.
    • Sync Play:
      Twine4Car enables two devices to synchronise the playback of the same video content, allowing the passengers to enjoy content on the screen in front of them simultaneously as other passengers.
    • Parental/Remote Control:
      Along with content-related control from any screen in the vehicle, Twine4Car can put parents in charge of the type and length of content consumed by their children.

    About Stingray
    Stingray (TSX: RAY.A; RAY.B) is a leading global music, media, and technology company with over 1,000 employees worldwide. Stingray is a premium provider of curated direct-to-consumer and B2B services, including audio television channels, over 100 radio stations, SVOD content, 4K UHD television channels, FAST channels, karaoke products, digital signage, in-car entertainment, in-store music, and music apps, which have been downloaded over 160 million times. Stingray reaches 400 million subscribers (or users) in 160 countries. For more information: www.stingray.com

    About ACCESS
    Since 1984, ACCESS CO., LTD. (Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market, Index, 4813) has been providing advanced IT solutions centred on mobile and network software technologies to telecom carriers, consumer electronics manufacturers, broadcasting and publishing companies, the automotive industry, and energy infrastructure providers around the world. The company develops mobile software solutions that have been installed on over 1.5 billion devices and network software solutions that have been used by more than 500 companies. Utilising its network virtualisation technology expertise and knowledge, the company is currently focusing on developing and commercializing the DX and IoT that combine embedded and cloud technology. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, the company maintains subsidiaries and affiliates in Asia, Europe, and the United States to support and expand its business globally. Learn more about ACCESS at www.access-company.com.

    © 2022 ACCESS CO., LTD. All rights reserved. ACCESS, the ACCESS logo, and ACCESS Twine are registered trademarks or trademarks of ACCESS CO., LTD. in the United States, Japan, and other countries. All other trademarks, logos, and trade names mentioned in the document are the property of their respective owners.

    MultiscreenTV Everywhere

    Skyworth Digital Technology Broadens its RDK Content Offering through the NetRange Smart TV Portal for RDK

    Posted on by ACCESS Europe

    Consumers can now access local and regional VOD content in addition to leading streaming platforms on Skyworth’s RDK devices

    Hamburg, Germany, October 31, 2022 – NetRange MMH GmbH (‘NetRange’), an ACCESS company and a global provider of white-labelled, turnkey Smart TV and OTT ecosystems, and Skyworth Digital Technology, today announced that the NetRange Smart TV Portal for RDK and the NetFront™ Browser BE have been selected to provide global content services through Skyworth RDK set-top boxes. RDK is a powerful open source software platform for set-top boxes and smart TVs being adopted by many of the world’s largest TV operators.

    “There are a number of reasons, such as advantages in customization, that are making our customers look very seriously at switching to RDK,” said Skyworth Digital Technology. “By partnering with NetRange we ensure that our RDK powered devices have all the live and VOD video services to meet today’s consumer needs. The NetRange Smart TV Portal for RDK offers consumers access to local and regional entertainment, sports, news and kids VoD and live TV, as well as games. NetRange gives us a true a one-stop shop that enables consumers to access a world of content through Skyworth’s RDK set-top boxes.”

    “Skyworth is a true leader in the supply of set-top boxes to the largest TV operators, so we’re delighted to enable viewers with RDK powered boxes to enjoy the world of content that the NetRange Smart TV Portal for RDK delivers,” said Michi Uematsu, CTO, ACCESS. “By combining the portal with the NetFront Browser BE and DRM support we have made it as easy as we can for Skyworth to provide broad content and entertainment services. I’m looking forward to working with Skyworth to meet the growing demand from operators for RDK solutions capable of delivering the consumer wow factor, as well as the customization advantages that operators love.”

    NetRange Smart TV Portals and App Stores provide the simplest route for broadcasters, operators, content creators, TV and set-top box manufacturers and media and entertainment distributors to ride the connected and smart TV wave. The NetRange service portfolio covers all necessary process stages: business model, UI design and concept, backend development and construction, integration of the portal with the Content Management System (CMS) and hardware, and finally, live operation. NetRange provides continuous portal development and maintenance as well as the expansion of its worldwide content portfolio. NetRange portals and ecosystems can be run as global solutions or designed for specific countries. The NetRange Smart TV Portal for RDK has been designed to bring a world of content to the powerful and highly customisable environment that many operators value so highly.

    About NetRange
    NetRange, an ACCESS CO., LTD. company (Tokyo Stock Exchange First Section Index, 4813), is a leading pioneer of Smart TV and a global provider of white labelled, turnkey Smart TV and OTT ecosystems and app stores.

    NetRange operates an integrated, full-service solution which includes UI design, payment, billing and customer management, content aggregation, backend services including global CDN, second level support and app development for more than 100 global CE, TV, STB, retailer and operator brands, including Vodafone, Grundig, Arçelik, TCL, Skyworth, Sharp, Loewe, Changhong, IKEA, MSH, Thomson HD+. Its fully featured Smart TV Appstore includes local and global premium VoD stores, linear TV channels via IP, cloud games, live sports, music and lifestyle apps. It makes media content available for TV users in over 100 countries around the world.

    In addition, NetRange also leverages its content relationships and broadcast technology expertise to provide ACCESS Twine™ for Car, a connected car infotainment platform and VISNOS, a client-based Smart TV OS that significantly reduces the BOM cost for TV manufacturers through enabling a full Smart TV through devices with low-powered CPUs.

    About Shenzhen Skyworth Digital Technology Company Limited
    Shenzhen Skyworth Digital Technology Co. Ltd. is the world’s leading provider of connected home products and solutions. Shenzhen Skyworth Digital Technology Company Limited is continually evolving product and service offerings to satisfy the ever-changing content consumption habits of a global customer base, by providing innovations in networking, digitalization, and solutions for the connected home. Today, Shenzhen Skyworth Digital Technology Company Limited is the world’s largest set-top box manufacturer and as well as one of the fastest growing manufacturers of broadband CPE and IoT products and solutions.

    AutomotiveConnected car

    BYD is already delivering, could the Tesla crown be slipping?

    Posted on by Robert Guest

    Tesla has enjoyed a successful reign on the EV throne, appearing to be untouchable as Elon Musk’s empire innovated and conquered the automotive market. However, earlier this month, a much less-known yet just as ambitious company overtook Tesla to take pole-position as the king of the battery-powered car.

    BYD, short for ‘Build Your Dreams’, is now the world’s fastest selling EV manufacturer, recording 641,000 sales in six months, beating Tesla’s 564,000. Based in China, BYD, which has U.S. billionaire Warren Buffet as a shareholder, is dominating the Chinese market through launching EVs on time and at scale.

    How has it done this? BYD has the benefit of having an already-integrated supply chain due to its investment in manufacturing critical parts – from batteries to semiconductors. By doing this, BYD has provided itself with the key components to build its vehicles and avoided the well documented pains of many other automakers.

    So far Tesla and BYD haven’t really been in competition – BYD and Tesla until very recently made quite different vehicles; and in Tesla’s US backyard, BYD doesn’t sell vehicles due to the tariffs on car imports. But internationally, they are about to compete, with the BYD Seal having the Tesla Model 3 firmly in its sights. In China, BYD reported that it had over 22,000 orders in just a few hours after the Seal launch. The car is an attractive well priced package (equivalent to $32,000) in China. BYD has reported a fast ramp-up of production, and it appears likely to be attractive to consumers outside China too.

    So BYD are now making increasingly luxurious cars to compete with Tesla and the traditional OEMs, such as VW, Ford, GM, etc., as they also become EV vendors – but how are BYD going beyond the Tesla playbook?

    One really key difference is that although all its vehicles are manufactured in China, BYD has been able to avoid the worst of the China lockdown supply-chain issues by making its own chips through its BYD Semiconductor subsidiary, for which there are plans to float on the Shenzhen ChiNext market.

    When it comes to batteries, again BYD is ahead of Tesla through making its own batteries. Yes, Tesla has a joint venture with Panasonic to produce batteries through The Sparks, Nevada, Gigafactory, but for all its China and many of its US produced cars, Tesla buys off-the-shelf batteries from third-party companies such as CATL.

    BYD makes BYD Blade batteries, a specialised Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery, which it sells to other automotive OEMs and there have been rumours that they are about to provide batteries to Tesla too. The automotive OEMs said to be choosing BYD Blade’s for cars made for or aimed at the Chinese market include Ford, GM and Toyota.

    To ensure that BYD has a continued source of Lithium for its batteries it is involved in lithium mining projects, with more rumours that it is to buy six lithium mines in Africa. BYD is also thought to be planning new higher-end vehicles, moving its average sale price higher. It appears that BYD is finding it easier to launch new vehicles than Tesla, which has delayed new models multiple times and may go through 2021 – 2023 without shipping any new models.

    So, for BYD, going beyond the Tesla playbook means that is the company is already doing things that Elon Musk has only talked about: it makes its own chips, sells a model priced at $25,000, is rumoured to be buying Lithium mines so that it can make enough batteries to meet its own demand, and sells batteries to third parties. And critically, BYD appears to have cracked designing and launching new models quickly, something Tesla has struggled with recently: and BYD does all of this profitably.

    The automotive industry and the public is used to seeing Tesla as the tech leader in the automotive space. As BYD continues to be able to do things that Elon Musk has only talked about but so far failed to deliver, we can expect the competition between the two companies to push the EV landscape to new heights.

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