MTV Networks Selects Cisco Video Distribution and Enterprise Systems

MTV Networks (News - Alert) has selected Cisco video distribution and enterprise systems for OpEx savings and enhanced video content distribution performance.


Cisco (News - Alert) officials while giving this information said that MTV Networks (MTVN) has teamed with the company to create an expanded, more efficient programming distribution platform using company’s medianet products and technologies including MPEG-4 advanced video coding (AVC) and transcoding, Cisco TelePresence and Unified Communications systems.

“For a media organization as large as MTV Networks, it is imperative to constantly seek innovative ways to maximize your content portfolio," said Joe Simon, senior vice president and CIO, Viacom (News - Alert) Inc., in a statement.

Simon said that by teaming with Cisco, the company has been able to efficiently expand the availability of HD programming for the flagship channels, which are in high demand by viewers.

"Our customers are looking for comprehensive, unified solutions that deliver efficiencies today and pave the way for even more advanced capabilities in the future, such as IP content distribution," said Brian Morris, vice president, global business development, media, satellite and broadcast business unit for Cisco.

Morris said that Cisco is uniquely positioned to help customers like MTV Networks deliver a high-quality video experience for their audiences and provide mission-critical tools for improving business operations across an entire organization.

Cisco officials say that by using MPEG-4 AVC, content owners can distribute a single high-definition (HD) program feed for more efficient satellite bandwidth use. This MPEG-4 AVC HD signal can be transcoded to MPEG-2 HD, SD or analog for reception by the vast installed base of MPEG-2-compatible cable set-tops.

The Cisco MPEG-4 AVC HD encoding and transcoding platform will deliver 16 flagship HD channels for MTVN -- eight channels each for U.S. East Coast and West Coast feeds.

Officials said that the Cisco TelePresence meeting solution would provide MTVN benefits for day-to-day operations through increased collaboration opportunities and control of operating expenses.

Cisco TelePresence can also help to lower travel expenses during these dynamic economic times, offering a live, face-to-face meeting experience over the network.