NDS to power DirecTV over the top video play

DirecTV (Nasdaq: DTV) struck a deal Wednesday with NDS to use the company's VideoGuard Connect digital rights management product to deliver over-the top video to subscribers, but the DBS provider says it's not ready to talk about subscribers using mobile phones and PCs.

NDS said DirecTV will also use VideoGuard to power home-networking services and video that can be delivered to customers on multiple platforms, including PC, Mac, iOS and Android-based mobile and tablet devices. The London-based firm also said top UK pay TV company BSkyB will use VideoGuard to deliver content to mobile devices, and that it is pitching the product to pay TV providers worldwide.

DirecTV could use VideoGuard to deliver live TV programming to subscribers using mobile devices. The company could also NDS technology in the upcoming launch of its Nomad set-top, which is similar to the Sling Player boxes that rival Dish Network (Nasdaq: DISH) markets to its subscribers.

DirecTV spokesman Robert Mercer wouldn't discuss which cable networks and content suppliers will be involved with DirecTV's over-the-top video offering, noting that the company had "nothing to announce at this time."

While DirecTV now has the technology that would allow it to distribute content from premium cable networks to subscribers wherever they are, the bigger challenge may be reaching deals with programmers and movie studios that would allow it to sell a broad OTT video offering to customers.

For more:
- see news release from NDS

Related articles:
DirecTV teases Nomad TV Everywhere product
The set-top box is dead; long live the home gateway