New Accenture product to enable over-the-top services for TV, PC, mobile devices

Accenture yesterday introduced a solution for Italy's largest commercial broadcaster, Mediaset, that will enable it to provide innovative over-the-top services for TV, PC and other devices as part of its Mediaset Premium offer.
 
The solution will allow Mediaset customers to enjoy a seamless consumer experience for accessing linear content, as well as non-linear services such as catch-up TV, video on demand and virtual linear channels on the TV set.

The solution also enables Mediaset to deliver video content to additional platforms including PCs, mobile, gaming consoles and connected TVs, so that its consumers can create their own personal online TV experience.
 
Mediaset is leveraging the Accenture Video Solution to deliver both linear content through the broadcast network and advanced interactive services through an open broadband IP network on industry standard set top boxes.

The Accenture Video Solution helps launch new non linear video services quickly and cost effectively by reducing the initial high cost of IT and infrastructure setup. It also supports several advanced applications such as targeted advertising, personalized content recommendation and adaptive streaming, depending on available bandwidth.

The Accenture Video Solution was created at Accenture's Innovation Center for Broadband in Rome, where a team of specialists design and deploy solutions for leading media organisations and service providers around the globe. 

The Center serves as a hub for the development of leading-edge broadband and broadcast solutions based on Accenture's experience and knowledge, functional and technical skills, assets, methodologies and delivery capabilities.
 
''We are proud to team with Mediaset in this significant and ambitious undertaking. The project reinforces Accenture's work with leading broadcasters in pioneering innovation for their customers,''

''The service we built for Mediaset enriches the traditional TV consumption experience and will bring a new level of engagement -- typical of the online world - flexibility and greater consumer choice," said Francesco Venturini, global broadcast lead of Accenture's media and entertainment industry group.
 
Venturini added  that the solution would enable new ways for Mediaset to enhance customer relationships, strengthen customer loyalty -- especially with younger generations -- and boost advertising-generated revenues and content usage, which are critical for broadcasters as the role of the television continues to evolve from home television to personal television.