Cloud video platform Blackbird secures Microsoft backing

Microsoft is to offer marketing and sales support to Blackbird, the cloud video platform developed by Forbidden Technologies and used extensively by Deltatre’s sports streaming service.

The move follows Blackbird officially achieving Microsoft ‘co-sell Ready’ status.

Being a co-sell Microsoft partner allows for the establishment of a close working relationship between Blackbird and Microsoft that will see the companies’ sales teams work together to attract and engage new and existing customers.

Deltatre uses Blackbird through Microsoft Azure to speed-up the delivery of live and on-demand video highlights to OTT subscribers. Sports that benefit from this include American football, athletics, golf, rugby and cycling.

Forbidden Technologies chief executive Ian McDonough said of the development: “Increasing speed from live action to screen is becoming ever more vital to consumers and therefore to our media customers. Faster highlight turnaround results in higher ROI for content and an enhanced experience for viewers.

“Blackbird has proven, lightning-quick cloud-native solutions in place for clipping, editing and publishing of live sport and news highlights to premium digital services and social media platforms.

“We are delighted to be one of a group of vendors working with the Microsoft sales teams to drive cloud adoption through a truly differentiated solution that uses Azure. We are excited by the opportunities ahead as the media industry moves video workflows to the cloud.”

Forbidden Technologies is a developer of cloud-based video editing software. Based in London, the company is listed on the London Stock Exchange.