Wananchi Deploys Verimatrix to Extend Multi-Network Reach and Enhance Revenue Security

Africa's Most Ambitious Entertainment Provider Secures Multi-Screen Video Services Across Sub-Saharan Africa With VCAS


COLOGNE, GERMANY--(Marketwired - May 19, 2014) - ANGA COM 2014 Verimatrix, the specialist in securing and enhancing revenue for multi-network, multi-screen digital TV services around the globe, has extended its partnership with the Wananchi Group, Africa's pioneering provider of triple-play services (broadband, multichannel television and voice telephony), to secure the revenues of Zuku TV across direct-to-home (DTH) satellite, digital cable and IP-over-GPON networks, and later this year via over-the-top (OTT) video services.

Initially chosen in 2010 for its award-winning cardless Video Content Authority System (VCAS™) for DVB solution to secure Zuku's direct-to-home (DTH) satellite TV services, Verimatrix has since extended the VCAS reach to also protect the revenues of the Zuku digital cable services. Playing an important role in securing the future of the Zuku brand with its planned OTT services, Verimatrix is supplying Wananchi with an innovative, multi-network content security platform. Moreover, the company has proactively executed integration activities with other ecosystem partners, including Harmonic, Great Lakes Data Systems (GLDS), Technicolor and Castlenet.

"The best-of-breed VCAS security solution provides robust revenue protection for Zuku TV at all points of the value chain, helping us achieve our multi-network ambitions while also providing our customers with access to the content of their choice," said Richard Alden, CEO, Wananchi Group. "Verimatrix has proven to be a valuable and strategic partner as we evolve and enhance our video services."

VCAS is a fully-integrated, cardless security solution that secures premium video content to various types of networks -- whether managed or unmanaged -- using satellite DTH, cable, DTT and OTT delivery to a multitude of devices, all from a single and unified security authority. This proactive revenue protection and enhancement approach enables Wananchi to cast a much wider net with its service offerings. As a consequence, the company's central value proposition has shifted beyond that of traditional, single network content protection alone, towards the broader perspective of multi-network revenue security.

"Wananchi is one of Africa's most savvy pay-TV operators, seizing the opportunities being made available through the proliferation of the mobile Internet and connected devices with the switch to digital networks. We look forward to our continued collaboration and to delivering Zuku TV to as many people as possible, across the networks and devices of their choice," said Steve Oetegenn, president, Verimatrix.

Read the case study "Securing the Revenues of Africa's Most Ambitious Entertainment Provider" for more information (www.verimatrix.com/wananchi).

About the Wananchi Group
The Wananchi Group is Africa's pioneering provider of triple-play (broadband, multi-channel television and voice telephony) and VSAT (broadband data and Internet) services. We're in the process of rolling out Africa's most innovative cable and WiMax network to complement the existing VSAT infrastructure. For more details visit: http://www.wananchi.com

About Verimatrix
Verimatrix specializes in securing and enhancing revenue for multi-network, multi-screen digital TV services around the globe. The award-winning and independently audited Verimatrix Video Content Authority System (VCAS™) and ViewRight® solutions enable cable, satellite, terrestrial, IPTV and OTT operators to cost-effectively extend their networks and enable new business models. As the established leader in cardless security solutions, the company has leveraged its innovative 3-Dimensional Security approach to provide harmonized rights for premium content delivery to a range of devices over new hybrid network combinations.

Maintaining close relationships with major studios, broadcasters, standards organizations and its unmatched partner ecosystem enables Verimatrix to provide a unique perspective on video business issues beyond content security as operators introduce new services to take advantage of the proliferation of connected devices. Verimatrix is an ISO 9001:2008 certified company. For more information, please visit www.verimatrix.com, our Pay TV Views blog and follow us at @verimatrixinc, Facebook and LinkedIn to join the conversation.