MAM
Irdeto Selected as Conditional Access Partner for Eutelsat’s New Hybrid Platform
MUMBAI: Irdeto announces that it has been selected by leading global satellite operator, Eutelsat as a security partner for its new Eutelsat CIRRUS hybrid platform. The new service provides a turnkey solution for Eutelsat customers, allowing them to offer Direct-to-Home (DTH) services combined with OTT services across multiple screens. Irdeto Cloaked CA will enable the secure delivery of DTH content on the platform.
With the launch of Eutelsat CIRRUS, the satellite operator is offering a variety of value-added services to its customers, whether they are using only satellite or both satellite and OTT networks. Eutelsat CIRRUS is designed to provide a unified back-end system, capable of embracing the full scope of business and operational tasks across both DTH and OTT networks.
“Our focus is on delivering an enhanced platform to offer new services, while enabling efficiencies and scale. Working with strong security partners is imperative for this endeavor,” said Bruno Cattan, Director for Terminals and Solutions at Eutelsat. “Irdeto is the perfect DTH security partner to ensure the best protection of our customers’ content while offloading us from the day-to-day Conditional Access operations, enabling us to meet the growing demand for DTH service in many markets.”
As part of the partnership, Eutelsat will offer Irdeto Cloaked CA to additional customers and prospects as part of any deployment.
“In an increasingly competitive global market, it is crucial for operators to maximize services and content delivery options while meeting the security requirements for premium content,” said Bengt Jonsson, Senior Vice President of Sales & Services, Irdeto. “The launch of Eutelsat CIRRUS is testament to the fact that Eutelsat is proactive in addressing market developments and, as a trusted security partner for the DTH side, we are looking forward to working together on many future deployments.”
Irdeto Cloaked CA is a key solution offered in the Irdeto 360 Security suite, which is designed to ensure future-proof end-to-end security that can quickly and easily react to changes in the market in a cost-effective fashion. Partnering with Irdeto allows Eutelsat to ensure the highest level of security for existing and future hybrid and DTH deployments.
MAM
Microdrama Specialist COL Group International Builds Out With Narativ, Rock Networks & BlingWood Deals
MUMBAI: Microdrama powerhouse COL Group International is building out its distribution network, with its CEO saying vertical video is about to enter its “next competitive chapter.”
The microdrama arm of publicly-listed Chinese company COL Group appointed Narativ Media as its official distributor in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and CIS regions and Africa, and a struck new content deal with a new Dubai-based microdrama platform.
The deals were unveiled this morning at MIP London, and also included Rock Networks as its exclusive Southeast Asia telco distribution partner for its app, FlareFlow. MIP London is now into its second day at the Savoy Hotel and adjoining IET London complex.
The deals come soon after COL appointed Harbour Rights to represent its titles in Europe and Latin America, as we reported yesterday in our extended feature on microdrama distribution.
COL’s Singapore-based microdrama unit says its “coordinated global distribution architecture and significantly expanded international content slate” would help to scale its catalogue to more than 1,700 microdrama titles worldwide. These hail from South Korea, Japan, Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and the UK and roll out across Sereal+, FlareFlow and 17K.
A deal with Dubai-based BlingWood, which recently launched as an OTT platform, will expand COL’s access to Middle Eastern and Indian microdramas, and includes a broader pipeline of Indian series from storytelling platform Pratilipi, Korean titles from BeLive Studios and British reality-led formats from Tattle TV — the UK’s first dedicated microdrama app, including titles such as Dog Dates.
“Microdrama is entering its next competitive chapter, where quality, retention and monetization standards are increasingly shaped by data and operational discipline,” said Timothy Oh, General Manager of COL Group International.
“As pioneers in both China and the U.S., scaling some of the world’s leading platforms in this space, we understand what it truly takes to win sustainably. Our role is not simply to offer catalogue volume, but to help partners select, position and scale the right content for their platform and audience. By bringing together a broad, constantly refreshed slate from across regions, we enable smarter curation, clearer differentiation and long-term growth for serious industry players.”
Narativ deal
COL and UAE-based Narativ described their deal as a “strategic expansion of premium vertical content distribution across high-growth emerging markets,” and comes as the microdrama continues to boom financially. The growth of the medium will be among the key topics of conversation today at MIP London, where COL chief Oh will be speaking.
The pact extends beyond content representation and is being billed as part of a more “structured micro-drama distribution infrastructure.”
Narativ will spearhead market development, platform alliances, broadcaster relationships and digital monetization frameworks across the MENA and CIS regions and Africa, where they have identified “rapid mobile-first consumption growth and strong demand for short-form, high-engagement storytelling formats.”
“Micro-dramas are reshaping global viewing habits, particularly across mobile-first markets like MENA, Africa and CIS,” said Manjyot Sandhu, CEO and co-founder of Narativ. “Our appointment as official distributor for COL Group in these territories reflects Narativ’s strategy to build sustainable distribution architecture.
“A key pillar of the collaboration includes integration with FlareFlow, enabling strategic telco partnerships, bundled carrier offerings, and alternative monetization pathways designed to accelerate scale across mobile ecosystems and OTT platforms.”
Oh added: “We are building more than a content slate – we are building the global infrastructure for microdrama. With hundreds of new titles launching every quarter, scale and regional strength are critical. Narativ with its deep foothold in MENA, Africa CIS and other key markets makes them a natural strategic partner as we expand FlareFlow and bring microdrama to new platforms, telcos and audiences.
Narativ, which is joint venture Sandhu operates with Copyright Capital, manages around 7,000 hours of content and has a digital network spanning 150 million subscribers across 21 language.
COL Group has emerged as one of the biggest microdrama platforms, running platforms such as FlareFow. It is also a part-owner of ReelShort.
