UP Selects Comcast Wholesale for Multiplatform Content Delivery
Atlanta, GA
Comcast Wholesale is now providing network origination & transmission and VOD programming delivery services
Atlanta, GA and Denver, CO, December 19, 2013 – UP, America's favorite network for uplifting entertainment, has selected the Comcast Wholesale™ business unit's Comcast Media Center™ (CMC™) to provide multiplatform content delivery services, the two companies announced today.
The Comcast Wholesale business unit is now providing channel origination and transmission services for UP from its award-winning advanced-playback environment, which is designed to improve program uptime while simultaneously reducing operator workload. The Comcast Wholesale facility originates UP in HD format as well as down converts the channel into SD, to help make UP available in both HD and SD.
In addition, UP is using the Comcast Wholesale facility's VOD (video on demand) content delivery platform to manage delivery of its VOD programming, which includes its originals, premieres, series and specials. CMC's VOD footprint encompasses cable systems across multiple MVPDs (multichannel video programming distributors) serving more than 56 million VOD –enabled households in the U.S. and Canada.
"We have been pleased with the quality of service provided by the Comcast Wholesale facility for the past three years as it allows us to manage our VOD distribution and successfully address a number of our cross-platform content distribution requirements while also assuring a consistent, high-quality experience of our brand across multiple viewing devices," said, Rex Humbard, Senior Vice President, production and operations, UP. "The multichannel origination operation is extremely efficient and effective and allows us to benefit from the economies of scale similar to those enjoyed by network groups that operate their own facilities."
Added Matt McConnell, Senior Vice President & General Manager of the Comcast Wholesale business, "As an established television network, UP is very familiar with the requirements and importance of a quality network origination experience. We are looking forward to the opportunity to bring that level of quality to their linear channel origination and also extend it to the viewer's experience of the network's VOD content through our integrated content management solution."
For nearly 20 years, Comcast Wholesale businesses have been an industry-leading provider of content services across multiple platforms for customers worldwide. The business offers a complete suite of digital video solutions including network origination and playout; transmission (via satellite or fiber); video-on-demand (VOD) aggregation and delivery, including a highly automated process for quick turn-around of on-air ad-supported content; and studio/post production services.
About UP
UP, America's favorite network for uplifting entertainment, is a 24-hour television network that provides high-quality, diverse, family-friendly programming, including original and premiere movies, theatricals, drama and comedy series, music and holiday specials. UP can be seen in more than 65 million homes in high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) on cable systems including Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks, Charter and Cox Communications as well as DIRECTV (Channel 338), DISH Network (Channel 188) and Verizon FIOS (Channel 224). As part of its mission to entertain and uplift, the network's pro-social initiative "Uplift Someone" reminds and inspires people to do simple acts of kindness. UP is also a service provider to its sister network ASPiRE. Based in Atlanta, UP is a division of UP Entertainment, LLC, which also offers gMovies, the first faith-friendly streaming movie service. Follow UP on the Web atwww.UPtv.com, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/UPtv, Twitter on @UPtv and Instagram at UP_TV.
About Comcast Wholesale
A division of Comcast Cable, the Comcast Wholesale™ business unit offers third party businesses access to services and technologies developed and proven by an industry leader including HITS® (Headend in the Sky®) and the Comcast Media Center. From content distribution and media management to advertising delivery and IP services, the Comcast Wholesale services portfolio helps businesses launch new products and remain competitive through lower up-front investment, improved efficiency and faster time to market. More information about the range of Comcast Wholesale businesses may be found at www.comcastwholesale.com
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Comcast, HITS and Comcast Wholesale are trademarks or registered trademarks of Comcast. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners.
Media Contacts
UP:
Chelsye Burrows
770.692.4559
cburrows@UPtv.com
Comcast Wholesale:
Andy Holdgate
720-270-1325
holdgatepr@comcast.net
