MX1 Ltd
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Media services, digital broadcasting |
| Predecessor | RR Media, SES Platform Services |
| Founded | July 2016 |
| Defunct | September 2019 |
| Fate | Integrated into SES Video division; brand discontinued |
| Successor | SES Video |
| Headquarters | Unterföhring , Germany |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Avi Cohen (CEO until 2017), Wilfried Urner (CEO from 2017) |
| Products | Content aggregation, content management, channel origination and playout, online video/VOD services, content delivery |
| Owner | SES |
| Parent | SES |
MX1 was an international media service provider established in July 2016 through the consolidation of digital media firms RR Media and SES Platform Services. It functioned as a fully owned subsidiary of the satellite operator SES.
In September 2019, MX1 was integrated into the SES Video division, leading to the discontinuation of the MX1 brand. The broadcast and streaming content management, playout, distribution, and monetisation solutions previously offered by MX1 are now delivered under the SES brand.
Before this integration, MX1 oversaw a library exceeding 5 million media assets, distributed upwards of 3,600 television channels daily, managed playout for more than 525 channels, supplied content to over 120 subscription VOD services, streamed in excess of 8,400 hours of online video each day, and provided over 620 hours of premium live sports and event coverage.
Services
MX1 delivered video and media solutions through a hybrid cloud and on-premises platform known as MX1 360,[1] which supported content and metadata management, archiving, localisation, channel playout, VOD, online video (OTT), along with worldwide content distribution.[2][3] The portfolio included:
Content aggregation
Content acquisition through satellite, fibre optics, or IP networks with satellite downlink capabilities for encryption, re-encryption, and re-multiplexing across multiple platforms; fibre reception from any location; and IP reception via the public Internet. This also encompassed live sports, news, and entertainment production featuring mobile live streaming and video contribution services.
Content management
Services such as digital mastering involving scanning, format conversion, restoration, quality assurance, and localisation/versioning. Archiving solutions included secure cloud-based and on-premises digital storage with disaster recovery options. Metadata packaging and platform validation improved content discoverability, search functionality, and cataloguing. Preparation of playout material and delivery in any required format.
Channel origination and playout
Provision of managed TV channel origination in SD, HD, and UHD formats with incorporation of 3D graphics as well as video and audio effects via a globally accessible cloud-based platform. Features included live content insertion, operational management, and continuous 24/7 monitoring.
Online video/VOD services
Content preparation and administration for online video platforms, VOD services, live streaming, and other digital outlets using a high-capacity content delivery network. Services also involved subscriber management systems, application development, DRM implementation, social media integration, advertising tools, monetisation capabilities, metadata handling, and analytics.
Content delivery
The distribution of video content encompasses all formats via a hybrid network that integrates satellite transmission (across more than 150 platforms), fibre connections (linking 60 digital media hubs worldwide), and Internet delivery. This infrastructure supports comprehensive downlink and uplink turnaround services alongside over-the-top (OTT) content distribution.
Locations
MX1 maintains a presence through 16 offices internationally, including its most recent addition inaugurated in March 2017 in Seoul, South Korea. Additional media centres are situated in London (UK), Hawley, Pennsylvania (US), Emeq Ha'Ela (Israel), Bucharest (Romania), with its main headquarters located in Unterföhring near Munich, Germany.
At the start of 2017, the company enhanced its US media centre in Hawley by expanding its capabilities for content aggregation, management, and delivery to better serve both American broadcasters and international content providers.
History
Established in Israel in 1981 by David Rivel as a communications service provider, RRsat evolved into RR Media in 2014 to better represent its growing global portfolio. In 2015, RR Media expanded by acquiring Eastern Space Systems (ESS), a Romanian firm specializing in content management and distribution, as well as SatLink Communications, a satellite transmission service provider.
Digital Playout Centre GmbH (DPC) was created in 1996 by the German Kirch Group to support Premiere pay-TV (now Sky Deutschland) and other broadcasters. SES Astra acquired full ownership in 2005, subsequently renaming it ASTRA Platform Services GmbH (APS). Reflecting its broadened international scope, the company rebranded as SES Platform Services in 2012.
In February 2016, SES Platform Services revealed plans to purchase RR Media; the transaction finalized in July 2016, resulting in the formation of MX1 under CEO Avi Cohen, formerly of RR Media. Later, in October 2017, Wilfried Urner—previously CEO of SES Platform Services and SES's HD+ subsidiary—assumed the role of MX1 CEO, succeeding Cohen.
See also
External links
- ↑ "MX1 Unveils Complete Global Service Offering". Broadcast Beat. 12 September 2016.
- ↑ "IBC 2016: MX1 shows off complete global service offering". SVG. 9 September 2016.
- ↑ Solutions MX1 website. Retrieved 1 January 2018