deltratre, Microsoft partnership yields digital full multiscreen offering
deltatre and Microsoft have been collaborating on the delivery of major sporting events since 2007, including providing digital Olympic coverage to viewers since Beijing 2008. The relationship also includes deltratre’s extensive use of Microsoft Azure Media Services live streaming capabilities.
deltatre was the first partner to use Microsoft Azure Media Services live streaming capabilities in 2012, and to date has used and delivered services to broadcasters in Europe, Asia, North America and South America, as well as Federations and sporting properties for delivery worldwide. deltatre and Microsoft worked together in 2013 for the launch of the PGA European Tour TV (ETTV), a full digital offering that provides engaging golf coverage to fans, for live events (in unsold territories) and giving access to a rich highlights archive.
Carlo De Marchis, deltatre’s chief product officer, says: “What the Sochi Olympic Winter Games have demonstrated once again, is that broadcasters have to promptly adapt to end-user behavioural shifts, if they want to succeed. Being able to watch the games anytime, anywhere and on any device is a clear user need in 2014, users expect that.”
“We’ve delivered 10s of millions of live and on demand video hours from Microsoft Azure Media Services to our clients, and for Sochi the adoption of our solutions on web, smartphones and tablet have not only addressed the needs of end-users but also generated substantial digital revenue for our customers. A mix of standard banner ads, pre-roll and mid-roll video ads have provided great value meeting customer expectations,” says Ciaran Quinn, chief commercial officer international at deltatre.
With the growing role of digital and mobile video as complementary to standard TV viewing, deltatre says that a video solution like its Diva (based on the scalable power of Media Services) can meet a wide variety of broadcaster requirements. Now the Microsoft/deltatre relationship is entering a new phase with what is described as a “set of more solid offerings” to address broadcaster needs.
“With the adoption of online video viewing on the rise, there is a need for broadcasters to look at proven solutions in the market to help bring content to viewing audiences,” said Sudheer Sirivara, director of Microsoft Azure Media Services. “Microsoft believes that the work done with deltratre for the Olympics and other sporting events, such as the PGA European Tour, shows that the technology is ready for broadcasters of any size.”