M+E Connections

Envivo Looks to Cisco Infinite Video for New OTT Streaming Service in Africa

Envivo Communications will launch a new OTT streaming video service, nVIVO TV, in Africa using Cisco’s Infinite Video Platform, giving its subscribers to international video content, including Nigerian-native content, or ‘Nollywood’ content. The new service is expected to launch in early 2018.

Envivo will use several Cisco OTT video solutions, including the cloud services platform for service providers and content owners, the Cisco Infinite Video Platform, while allows for the simple distribution and monetization of premium video on consumer devices. Envivo will also use the Cisco Open Media Distribution for Content Delivery Network (CDN), Virtual Media Packager and Cloud Object Storage.

“TV viewing happens on many screens beyond the home, and it has become increasingly critical for service providers to meet consumers’ needs for video content on their preferred screen,” said Conrad Clemson, SVP and GM of service provider platforms and applications for Cisco. “Our collaboration with Envivo to expand its video platform with new cloud-powered streaming video capabilities will offer new entertainment experiences for millions of people across the region at the touch of an app.”

Envivo is hoping to take advantage of African viewing trends, which sees streaming video becoming the go-to for watching content, with most households having smartphones or other mobile devices. Africa continues to register low TV penetration in households.

“The vision of nVIVO TV is to drive the African and African diaspora market toward a new online streaming experience that provides significant domestic content,” said Olu Obadina, chairman and CIO at Envivo Communications. “We understood from the onset that we needed a strategic partner like Cisco. With the Infinite Video Platform as the core of our network, we are able to meet our immediate requirements, with the scale and flexibility to expand as our needs evolve.”