WALTHAM, Mass.—Latin American news, sports and entertainment network RCN Colombia has deployed Zixi to distribute premium content to affiliates across the United States.

The broadcaster has seen a significant surge in demand from the United States as interest in Spanish-language content grows. RCN's mission is to inform, entertain and connect viewers with content that reflects the culture and values of Latin America, Zixi said.

Integrating Zixi into its operations has enabled RCN to streamline content distribution, eliminating the need for traditional satellite and fiber infrastructure. Using Zixi-as-a-Service (ZaaS), RCN has transitioned to a cost-effective cloud infrastructure while maintaining the reliability traditionally associated with satellite delivery, it said.

Zixi Broadcaster serves as the bridge for content from on-premises sources to the cloud. Within the cloud environment, the Zixi Software-Defined Video Platform (SDVP) processes and distributes content to affiliates, all managed by ZEN Master, the cloud control plane that ensures operational efficiency and end-to-end visibility, it said.

With the shift to IP distribution enabled by Zixi's SDVP, the new system not only accelerates the onboarding of new affiliates but also improves operational agility and reduces costs. By replacing satellite farms with streamlined on-premises servers and leveraging the Zixi Enabled Network, RCN can deliver its content to new markets and explore additional revenue streams without significant upfront infrastructure costs, it said.

"The United States is seeing a significant rise in demand for high-quality Latin American programming, and RCN Colombia, with its outstanding lineup, is well-positioned to meet that demand. However, traditional satellite workflows were not sufficient to scale distribution efficiently," said Omar Silva, Telecoms Director at RCN. "Zixi provides the flexibility and scalability RCN needs while keeping costs low and simplifying the process with its comprehensive solution."

Zixi will exhibit at IBC 2024, Sept. 13-16, at the RAI Amsterdam Convention Center.

See Zixi at IBC 2024 Stand 5.A85.

To schedule a meeting at IBC 2024, visit the company’s website.

HENDERSON, Nev.—Roberts Communications Network (RCN) has announced the creation of a Broadcast & Media Services division that will focus on broadcast and media business customers requiring occasional use and full-time services.

Jonathan Crawford, former President & CEO of The SPACECONNECTION (TSC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Telesat, has been appointed president of the new RCN division, and will focus on vendor relationships, business development and strategic partnerships.

"We specialize in delivering high-quality, low-latency, reliable, secure video around the globe, whether it be via satellite, fiber, or internet," said RCN President and CEO Todd Roberts. "The creation of a new Broadcast & Media Services division signifies our commitment to diversify into other industries, as also reflected by our recently announced partnership with Fathom Events, which serves the movie theater industry. Jonathan, with his decades of experience and expertise in the broadcast and media industry, was the perfect person to lead this new venture."

Crawford has been in the broadcast and media industry for 28 years, serving as CEO with TSC for 13 years. Prior to his appointment as CEO, Crawford held SVP and VP roles in sales and operations. In addition, he worked for Globecast North America in many managerial roles.

As part of the transition, RCN will also be taking over the former occasional use services of TSC, servicing events such as March Madness, MLB, NBA, NFL, NCAA Basketball & Football and worldwide conferences.

"This newly-created division of RCN represents unlimited potential and I am very excited for the opportunity to lead it," said Crawford, who has served as a board member of the TSC for 13 years, Space and Satellite Professionals International since 2017, and other boards in various industries. "I am extremely impressed with RCN's brand-new, state-of-the-art, content production and distribution facility, and I cannot wait to show off the company's existing global service capabilities to the customers I have serviced for decades and also use those capabilities to bring exciting new partners and clients on board."

In addition to Crawford, RCN has also announced the hiring of Victoria Rivera-Caple as Director of Occasional Use Services for the new Broadcast & Media Services division. She formerly served as Manager of Satellite Services for TSC for 21 years.

SAN JOSE, Calif.—Cable operator RCN will be the first to dip its toe into TiVo’s Next-Gen Platform and what innovations it can bring to its customers.

The platform is led by TiVo’s IPTV suite of products, which include TiVo Solutions for Android TV, TiVo for Streamers and TiVo for Mobile. These products assist with the delivery of IPVOD, IP Linear, Restart, Catch-Up and Network DVR content. RCN subscribers can access these services on managed STBs powered by Android TV or unmanaged consumer-owned devices like Amazon Fire, Apple TV and iOS or Android mobile devices.

Additional services help boost the entertainment experience through things like hyper-personalization, advanced search and recommendations, conversational voice control and universal discovery across content platforms.

TiVo’s platform will be available to RCN’s internet, digital TV and home phone customers, as well as other RCN properties, including Grande Communications Networks and WaveDivision Holdings.

Insight TV, the world’s leading 4K UHD HDR broadcaster and producer of native UHD content, is further expanding its US reach with the launch of its popular 4K UHD channel 24/7 on RCN Corporation’s digital pay-TV service. The Insight TV launch, which began on January 7th 2019, is part of RCN’s distribution of multiple 4K UHD channels.

RCN began rolling out its 4K-ready set-top boxes to subscribers last year. The device, made by Arris, is powered by TiVo’s software and user interface. Insight TV UHD will launch along with seven 4K channels hosted by the SES Ultra HD Platform, and is available to all subscribers of the digital basic tier package that have the 4K-ready box.

“Insight was one of the first channels to join the SES’s Ultra HD platform in North America, which now hosts the world’s largest source of 4K linear content and live events coverage,” said Steve Corda, Vice President of Media Platforms for SES in North America.  “Insight TV is on the leading edge of Ultra HD programming, with content shot natively in 4K and transmitted in HLG-HDR.  We are pleased to take yet another next step in Ultra HD together, enabling RCN to offer an immersive television viewing experience like no other.”

“We’re partnering with the world’s leading distribution providers to ensure that our 4K UHD content is delivered globally,” adds Angela Borrillo, Vice President Business and Legal Affairs, Insight TV. “We’re delighted to kick off 2019 with this announcement, which further highlights our growing presence in the US. We seek to connect audiences worldwide with exciting stories based on topics that are trending around the world.”

PRINCETON, N.J.—Cable provider RCN has announced that it will now offer the HBO Go app through its DVR powered by TiVo.

The HBO Go app on TiVo enables RCN customers who are HBO linear subscribers to access the app’s content without an additional device. The HBO Go content is integrated into TiVo Search and TiVo’s OnePass selections.

This new set-top box service is available for RCN customers in Chicago, New York, Boston, Washington D.C., Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley, Pa.