Danes can watch FIFA World Cup matches in HDTV quality -
01.06.2006
Irdeto, a subsidiary of a multinational media group Naspers (NASDAQ: NPSN and JSE: NPN), a world leader in content security for digital TV, IPTV and mobile was selected by Telia Stofa, Denmark's leading cable operator, to provide its Irdeto Digital TV content security solution for Telia Stofa's High Definition TV service. Telia Stofa is the first to offer Danish consumers the opportunity to experience World Cup matches in High Definition (HD) quality.
Telia Stofa's HD initiative offers subscribers all 64 matches of the World Cup tournament. Telia Stofa, in cooperation with TDC Cable TV, purchased the sole rights to show all the World Cup matches to be transmitted on TV channels DR and TV2 in HD quality.
Irdeto Digital TV encryption protects Telia Stofa's StofaXtra service and Irdeto's content security technology is integrated with the Samsung HDTV decoder Telia Stofa offers to its customers. Irdeto proposed the Samsung STB solution to Telia Stofa because of proven, joint projects with the manufacturer at many of Irdeto's other cable operators in Europe. Irdeto works with several consumer brands like Samsung to support retail STB sales models at more than a dozen operators on the continent.
To watch World Cup games in HD quality, subscribers must be a Telia Stofa TV customer, have an HD decoder, an HD-compatible TV and an Irdeto smartcard. People who subscribe to the World Cup programs in HD quality will receive a significant discount on the HD decoder when they will take an additional Digital TV program package.
Telia Stofa's TV & Content manager Jørgen Kristensen explains: "The World Cup will be the event that really opens the consumers' eyes to HDTV. With partners like Irdeto and Samsung we have been able to take a leading position in HD in Denmark. Following the World Cup, we expect to see a demand for more channels in HD format. Therefore we are currently negotiating to be able to offer a small program package of HD channels after the summer holidays."
'HDTV services are taking a leap forward due to opportunities such as the World Cup. Because of Irdeto's extensive experience and partnerships in supporting HD technology, we were able to quickly and effectively support Telia Stofa in their HD launch as well,' said Graham Kill, CEO of Irdeto. 'With more than 100 cable customers worldwide, Irdeto continues to be a leader in protecting cable revenues and enabling interesting and profitable business models and services like Multi-Room PVR, Push VOD and HD.'
About Telia Stofa.
Telia Stofa is 100% owned by TeliaSonera - the leading telecommunications company in the Nordic and Baltic regions. At the end of December 2005 TeliaSonera had 19,146,000 mobile customers (69,887,000 incl associated companies) and 7,064,000 fixed telephony customers (7,688,000 incl associated companies) and 2,263,000 internet customers (2,331,000 incl associated companies). Outside the home markets TeliaSonera has extensive interests in the growth markets in Russia, Turkey and Eurasia. TeliaSonera is listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange and the Helsinki Stock Exchange. Net sales January-December 2005 amounted to SEK 87.7 billion. The number of employees was 28,175.
