The Multiscreen Blog

ACCESS Europe completes merger with its subsidiary NetRange to Streamline Operations and Enhance Global Offerings

Posted on August 1, 2024December 5, 2024by ACCESS Europe

Oberhausen, Germany – August 1^st, 2024 – ACCESS Europe GmbH announced that it has today completed its merger with its subsidiary company NetRange MMH GmbH. ACCESS Europe GmbH remains a subsidiary of ACCESS CO., LTD. which is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (Prime Market, Index 4813).

Discussing the completion of the merger, Masahiro Aono, CEO of ACCESS Europe, said: “ACCESS Europe and NetRange have been working closely on joint clients for several years, so moving forward it’ll be business as usual for NetRange customers. Streamlining the two companies will simplify administration and improve internal efficiencies. NetRange will continue to provide its range of advertising services and licensed mobile, TV, and automotive content to the global market.”

About ACCESS Europe
ACCESS Europe GmbH, based in Oberhausen, Germany, is a subsidiary of ACCESS CO., LTD. (ACCESS), which is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (Prime Market, Index 4813). ACCESS has been a leader in mobile and network software technologies since 1984 and provides advanced IT solutions to a broad spectrum of industries, including telecom carriers, consumer electronics, broadcasting, publishing, automotive, and energy infrastructure. ACCESS develops mobile software solutions installed on over 1.5 billion devices and network software used globally.

ACCESS Europe provides In-Vehicle solutions for many of the world’s largest automotive OEMs, including software components, app stores and entertainment services. NetRange, an ACCESS Europe brand, pioneered white-labeled, Smart TV app stores and connected device solutions. It serves as a one-stop center for Smart TV brands, chipset vendors, and operators, offering licensed content, backend services, and DRM certification. NetRange Smart TV solutions are integrated across over 300 partners worldwide, including MediaTek, Hisense VIDAA O.S., and TCL MOKA, and combine with ACCESS Europe’s TV browser solutions, to provide a powerful and cost-effective integrated solution to simplify the launch of new services for broadcasters, video operators and TV manufacturers.

For more information visit www.access-company.com and eu.access-company.com.

For ACCESS media inquiries, please contact:
Email:access@platformcomms.com / phone: +44 (0)20 3832 3690/3691 or +44 (0) 7711 239 062

Connected TV

ACCESS and NetRange Set New Standards for Interacive Entertainment on Smart TVs with the Launch of an Integrated HbbTV Browser and Appstore Solution

Posted on July 31, 2024July 30, 2024by ACCESS Europe

Hamburg & Oberhausen, 31st July, 2024 – ACCESS Europe GmbH, a leading provider of advanced software solutions for connected TVs, mobile devices, and networking, and NetRange MMH GmbH (‘NetRange’ an ACCESS company), the global provider of white-labelled, turnkey Smart TV and OTT ecosystems, today announced the launch of NetFront™ Browser BE v3, the latest version of ACCESS browser which supports HbbTV2.0.4. This solution is fully integrated with the NetRange HbbTV Appstore, enabling TV manufacturers and brands to easily launch HbbTV services, and do it globally, quickly and cost-effectively.

By integrating the latest version of HbbTV, the new ACCESS browser delivers on the promise of state-of-the-art interactivity and functionality for Smart TVs, including support for Operator Applications (OpApp) and other essential features, so that ACCESS customers are equipped with the most advanced and compliant technology and entertainment available. Primarily deployed in Europe, with live projects also in the Middle East and APAC, HbbTV is supported by TV and device manufacturers including KTC and TCL MOKA on MTK chipsets and Konka on AOSP TVs based on a HiSilicon chipset.

“ACCESS is committed to driving the evolution of HbbTV standards by providing cutting-edge solutions that enhance the viewer experience,” said ACCESS Europe’s CEO, Aono Masahiro. “Our latest HbbTV browser and Appstore solution enables TV manufacturers and brands to meet the growing demand for HbbTV-enabled TVs, and do it with unique integration, powerful testing capabilities, and cost efficiencies.”

The joint ACCESS and NetRange HbbTV solution provides significant advantages to customers, including:

Latest HbbTV Technology: Access to the latest HbbTV version, ensuring support for all current features and standards.

Reliable Testing Framework: With the inclusion of Ligada test suites, ACCESS offers a robust and comprehensive testing environment, a valuable resource.

Continuous Product Planning: ACCESS’s proactive approach to product planning ensures that the latest HbbTV versions and requirements are consistently met and incorporated into the roadmap.

Unified Solution: By partnering with ACCESS and NetRange, ODMs and TV brands can streamline their operations. Rather than coordinating with multiple vendors for browser and app portal needs, clients can rely on a single point of contact, simplifying project management and reducing time to market.

Integrated Content Offerings: The collaboration between ACCESS and NetRange delivers a cohesive solution, providing HbbTV channels from the portal, facilitating a simplified deployment process, with joint testing and debugging efforts.

Cost Efficiency: ACCESS offers a bundled solution that is more economical than engaging separate contracts with multiple service providers, offering substantial cost savings to customers.

As the industry continues to evolve, ACCESS’s innovative approach to the HbbTV ecosystem sets a new benchmark for interoperability and user experience. The ACCESS and NetRange HbbTV solution represents a significant leap forward in smart TV technology, promising to enrich the user experience with seamless functionality and enhanced content offerings.

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 hundreds of companies. Utilising its network virtualisation technology expertise and knowledge, the company is currently focusing on the development and commercialisation of Internet of Things (IoT) and media solutions 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.

About NetRange
NetRange, an ACCESS CO., LTD. company (Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market, Index, 4813), is the global pioneer of white labelled, licensed App Store provider for Smart TVs, Set Top Boxes, Automotive platforms, and other connected devices such as smart projectors.

NetRange is the One-Stop-Center for Smart TV Brands/ODMs, Chipset vendors, and operators for accessing the licensed contents, covering content agreements, providing backend services and running DRM certification processes. The NetRange solution is integrated on more than 300 partners worldwide including Mediatek, Hisense VIDAA O.S., Arçelik, TCL MOKA, Skyworth Digital, Sharp, Loewe and Changhong. Its fully featured Smart TV Appstore includes local and global premium VoD stores, FAST channels, cloud games, live sports, the latest music, and lifestyle apps.

In addition, NetRange also leverages its content relationships and broadcast technology expertise to provide the Twine4Car Automotive platform solution, a connected car infotainment platform, and VISNOS, a client-based Smart TV OS that significantly reduces the hardware cost for TV manufacturers by enabling Smart TV features through devices with low-powered CPUs. Please visit www.netrange.com for more information.

For ACCESS and NetRange media inquiries, please contact:
Email: access@platformcomms.com / phone: +44 (0)20 3832 3690/3691 or +44 (0) 7711 239 062

Connected Car Connected TV

ALi Corporation, ACCESS Europe and NetRange Join Forces to Bring Cloud-Based VOD to the STB Market

Posted on July 24, 2024July 24, 2024by ACCESS Europe

Hamburg & Oberhausen, Germany, and Taipei, 24th July, 2024 – ALi Corporation, a leading provider of Set-Top Box (STB) chipsets, ACCESS Europe GmbH and NetRange, proudly announce a strategic collaboration that marks a significant milestone in the STB industry by integrating ACCESS™ Twine Micro Client (Twine Micro Client) cloud-based browser solution into ALi’s RTOS STB platform, revolutionizing traditional zapper STBs by adding intelligent Video on Demand (VoD) and Over-The-Top (OTT) functionalities.

ALi Corporation’s RTOS platform, in conjunction with the ACCESS Europe and NetRange jointly developed Twine Micro Client solution, addresses a critical market need for a comprehensive browser and app solution on zapper STB platforms. This integration empowers users to access a diverse array of online content and services directly through their STBs, delivering an immersive and enriched viewing experience. The collaboration between ALi, ACCESS Europe 　and NetRange is poised to unlock numerous business development opportunities. With ALi’s unparalleled reach in the STB market, selling 40 million STB SoCs globally, and ACCESS and NetRange’s advanced technology and content offerings, operators can now enhance their service portfolios and stay competitive in an ever-evolving market landscape.

Cashew Chen, President of ALi Corporation, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating: “This partnership enables us to offer our clients an expanded range of content options and upgraded features for zapper STBs. By enriching the viewing experience of end-users, ACCESS and NetRange enables us to provide our clients with a significant competitive advantage in the market.”

Michi Uematsu, CTO, ACCESS CO., LTD, commented: “ALi’s capability to provide their clients with more content and upgraded Zapper STB features without upgrading the STB’s hardware is incredibly exciting. This collaboration not only benefits from ALi’s extensive coverage and advanced technology but also opens new avenues for ACCESS and NetRange to reach additional populations of STBs. For instance, in regions like LATAM, SEA, and Africa, where traditional STBs still dominate, our solution can provide a transformative experience to end-users.”

Through this collaboration, ALi Corporation, ACCESS and NetRange are poised to drive innovation and growth in the STB industry, catering to the evolving needs of operators and end-users alike. With the potential to penetrate untapped markets such as LATAM, SEA, and Africa, this partnership sets the stage for further advancements and success in the STB market.

About ALi Corporation
ALi Corporation is a leading innovator and developer in the set-top box (STB) system-on-chip (SoC) market. By fully leveraging its core expertise in the set-top box industry, ALi Corp.’s solutions are recognized for their high levels of integration, superior performance reliability, premier customer oriented service and compelling cost structure. Hundreds of Pay TV operators have adopted ALi Corp.’s solutions worldwide. ALi Corp. was founded in 1987 with headquarters in Taipei, Taiwan, R&D centers as well as sales offices in India, Brazil, China, Korea and technical support teams throughout Asia. For more information, please visit www.alitech.com.

For media inquiries, please contact:
ALi Corporation Email: media@alicorp.com
ACCESS / NetRange Email: access@platformcomms.com / phone: +44 (0)20 3832 3690/3691 or +44 (0) 7711 239 062

Connected TV

NetRange Integrates OKAST’s FAST Channels to Enrich Global Smart TV Offering

Posted on June 27, 2024July 24, 2024by ACCESS Europe

Hamburg, Germany, 27th June, 2024 – NetRange MMH GmbH (‘NetRange‘),an ACCESS company, a global leader in Smart TV solutions, today announced a new partnership with OKAST, a leading provider of premium FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV) channels. This collaboration enriches NetRange’s Smart TV offering by adding OKAST’s diverse portfolio of premium FAST channels that resonate with local audiences’ values and cultures. For OKAST, this widens its customer base to include the 35 million TVs (existing in market global TV population plus forecast sales for 2024) from OEM device manufacturers and brands that build consumer content offerings from the NetRange App Store.

“By integrating OKAST’s premium FAST channels into our Smart TV solution, we not only extend the reach of OKAST’s premium FAST channels, but also enhance the content offering for our customers globally,” said Michi Uematsu, CEO, ACCESS CO., LTD.”

NetRange’s turnkey technology for FAST TV, including platform integration, TV player integration, backend management, and platform management, enables precise targeting of channels by country. This means that OKAST can now effectively target and reach new addressable audiences and widens the FAST offering for our global customers.”

“Partnering with NetRange enables us to leverage its robust Smart TV ecosystem, reaching a broader audience without the hassle of multiple technical integrations,” said Cédric Monnier, CEO and co-founder of OKAST. “Through the NetRange App Store simple integration process, we can now port our FAST channels once and deploy them across multiple TV brands seamlessly.”

This new collaboration is a key aspect of the bold strategy of the European group FAST4EU, established by OKAST, to build a European network aimed at the FAST market. OKAST intends to expand its range of channels to provide tailored content to local viewers in each region, showcasing the richness and excellence of European programming that aligns with their preferences and cultural identity.

About M.E.I Group (OKAST)
Founded in 2013 by industry veterans (formerly Canal +, France Television, NewsCorp, Ubisoft, Irdeto, Viaccess), M.E.I. Group builds the OKAST.TV cloud solution for key industry players (TV channel, producer, pure web player, etc.).

A turnkey solution, OKAST.tv makes it easy to deploy a streaming and live audio/video platform (xVOD), a FAST channel, and to monetize audio, video, and live catalogs. It provides everything from streaming architecture, platform, and design to TV and mobile applications, as well as complete management of payment systems, advertising, and management software including content management, user CRM, and analytics.

OKAST.TV publishes, through its clients, over 500 OTT platforms and premium FAST channels worldwide. Its clients include the SECOM group, Mediawan, Endemol France, TV Monaco, INA, THEMA, RCS Media, Qwest TV, SIC (Impresa), Good!Movies, Allindi, IDance Music, MAIF, Accenture, Secrets d’Histoire, Le Media TV, Le Figaro Live, Ciné Prime, Kinostar, Unifrance, Folxn, etc.

The company was incubated by TF1 and Audiens and already counts among its clients major American, European, and Chinese media, companies, agencies, brands, TV, web, cinema, and advertising content producers.

About FAST4EU
OKAST, SECOM Group, Kinostar have joined forces to launch the European FAST4EU Consortium. Co-funded by Creative Europe MEDIA, the consortium’s objective is to accelerate the development of the FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV) model in Europe and to provide a technological and content approach adapted to the European market with the capacity to expand internationally. The channel launch support program welcomes all European players, whether broadcasters, producers, or distributors of content.

Media contacts:
Platform Communications for NetRange
David Bramley / Azhar Uddin
+44 (0)20 3832 3690/3691 or +44 (0) 7711 239 062
access@platformcomms.com

OKAST
press@okast.tv

Connected Car

Dailymotion Enhances In-Car Video Infotainment with NetRange Partnership

Posted on June 26, 2024July 22, 2024by ACCESS Europe

Oberhausen, Germany, 26th June, 2024 – NetRange, an innovative provider of automotive platforms and Smart TV solutions, is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with Dailymotion, a prominent global video-sharing and enterprise technology leader. This collaboration is set to redefine the in-car video experience by integrating the Dailymotion app and video technology into the NetRange Smart TV App Store and ACCESS Twine™ for Car (Twine4Car) in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) platforms, which include an automotive-centric app store with car-centric apps, games and audio and video entertainment content and services.

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