Friend MTS to debut 4K/UHD subscriber watermarking service

Content and revenue protection specialist Friend MTS will be showcasing its 4K/UHD ASiD watermarking and global channel monitoring service at IBC next month. Designed for broadcast and OTT applications, this will be the IBC debut of the 4K/UHD service.

The ASiD service is the most widely deployed subscriber-level watermarking for premium sports and entertainment content. It can stop streaming piracy by cutting it off at the source; this is done by terminating the access of the subscriber that’s redistributing the content.

Suitable for live channels, PPV events and on-demand assets, the ASiD watermarking is invisible, ultra-robust and fully scalable. It’s described as being highly effective against illegal streaming devices, Kodi add-ons, mobile apps, websites and social media. 

The integrated global monitoring service uses fingerprint-based content recognition to enable highly automated operation, and this can tackle even the largest live sports events which can generate thousands of pirate streams.

By connecting directly with pay TV operators’ subscriber management systems, the ASiD service allows pirate streams to be deactivated within minutes.By preventing this content theft, broadcasters and rights owners can maximise their audiences and revenues. 

Neil Sharpe, product marketing director, said:“With the number of 4K/UHD channels continuing to expand significantly during 2018, there’s a clear need to protect these premium services from streaming piracy. The ASiD watermarking is proven to secure 4K/UHD channels, just like it does with HD and SD channels, with illegal redistribution terminated in minutes to protect critical revenues.”