CA

Looking at the role of CA today and in the future

Pay-TV operators have used CA since the 1990s to encrypt digital content. Over the years, CA has evolved, with Irdeto launching the first software based card-less CA in 2011. But does the CA technology still have a role to play going forward?

Looking back
CA started life in the analogue broadcast world. Its role was to scramble the video signal. With the evolution to digital broadcast, CA transformed to what you can call “true” conditional access with encryption.

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Break free – hand off complexity to focus on your core business

Consolidation within the industry shows no sign of stopping. The EU approves BSkyB’s proposed acquisition of Sky Deutschland and Sky Italia. Vodafone CEO hints at interest in more acquisitions after its recent purchase of Spain’s largest cable operator – Ono. And that’s only a couple of examples. You would image that the inevitable consequence for the “mega” operator is the headache of being locked into multiple long-term vendors.

A recent customer meeting reassured me that operators are interested in breaking free. They just need the headache tablet.

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Turning 4K impacts into opportunities for pay-TV operators

As you know from my earlier post, the inevitable march toward 4K has begun. And yes, with any new technology there will be challenges. But based on my discussions with studios and operators it’s clear that for well-prepared pay-TV operators, 4K could in fact bring opportunities.

Let me share some insights from recent conversations with studios and operators.

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