iWorld
OpenTV launches IPTV solution for C&S telecom operators
MUMBAI: OpenTV Corp, providers of technologies and services enabling the delivery of digital and interactive television, has announced the introduction of OpenTV Core 2.0 for IPTV for cable, satellite and telecommunications operators.
The new product, which will be commercially available this June, extends the capabilities of OpenTV’s proven, scalable middleware solutions to network operators wishing to deploy IPTV services over traditional and hybrid broadband IP networks.
“OpenTV Core 2.0 for IPTV ensures IPTV support for our worldwide customer base,” said OpenTV’s senior vice president and general manager of products and marketing Tim Evard.
Evard pointed out that with OpenTV IPTV, operators can now build IPTV services without compromising on advanced features such as video on demand (VOD), personal video recording (PVR) and interactivity, all while relying on a proven platform with global distribution, support services and a world-wide developer community with OpenTV applications and content ready to deploy.
Whether a new entrant into the digital TV market wants to deploy IPTV, or a cable or satellite operator wants to leverage its existing infrastructure to deploy over IP, OpenTV Core 2.0 for IPTV will enables them to deliver scalable solutions quickly to their subscribers.
OpenTV brings advanced, feature-rich digital TV services to the world of IPTV including VOD, PVR and network PVR, enhanced and interactive television, games, information services and personal and protected media distribution throughout the connected home.
OpenTV Core 2.0 for IPTV also makes it easy for OpenTV’s over 35 set-top box manufacturer licensees to easily deliver IP capable set-top boxes with OpenTV Core middleware and its robust set of digital and interactive television features.
In addition, OpenTV’s open interfaces with digital television vendors provide network operators maximum flexibility with freedom of choice for rights management and content protection systems (CA/DRM), media formats, video servers, set-top boxes and OSS/BSS systems.
MUMBAI: If cricket were a binge-worthy series, this one just dropped its most explosive pilot yet. The opening weekend of the 2026 edition of the Indian Premier League has come out swinging, smashing records across both television and digital platforms and reaffirming the tournament’s unmatched pull in India’s sporting and media landscape.
Backed by two high-octane matches featuring 200-plus run chases, the tournament delivered a combined reach of over 515 million viewers across linear TV and digital platforms via JioStar’s broadcast ecosystem, including Star Sports and JioHotstar. More tellingly, engagement surged alongside reach, with total watch-time hitting 32.6 billion minutes, a sharp 26 per cent jump over the opening weekend of the previous season.
The numbers reveal a deeper shift in how India watches cricket. Connected TV (CTV) consumption rose by 30 per cent, while peak concurrency on digital platforms jumped 61 per cent, signalling a growing appetite for shared, big-screen streaming experiences. On traditional television, the momentum held strong, with TV ratings (TVR) climbing 24 per cent compared to earlier seasons’ opening matches.
A key driver of this spike has been the evolution of the viewing experience itself. This season introduced differentiated feeds, most notably a Hindi CTV broadcast featuring cricketing voices such as Ravichandran Ashwin, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Virender Sehwag and Irfan Pathan. Blending expert analysis with a watch-along format, the feed has added a conversational, almost second-screen feel without requiring viewers to leave their screens.
According to JioStar CEO for Sports Ishan Chatterjee, at the opening weekend underscores not just scale but also the depth of engagement that live cricket continues to command. He noted that the combination of large-screen viewing and digital interactivity is creating a more immersive and personalised experience, while also delivering tangible outcomes for brand partners.
From the league’s perspective, the early numbers point to a tournament that continues to reinvent itself. Arun Singh Dhumal, Chairman of the IPL, said the strong start reflects how high-quality cricket paired with enhanced viewing formats is resonating with audiences nationwide, while Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary Devajit Saikia highlighted the “quality of engagement” as a key takeaway, not just the scale.
Commercially too, the opening weekend signals robust advertiser confidence. The broadcast is led by co-presenting sponsors including Google (Search AI Mode), Campa Energy, and Havells & Lloyd, alongside co-powered partners such as Birla Opus, Hero Motocorp and Amazon. A long tail of associate sponsors from OpenAI and Asian Paints to Flipkart and Amul further reflects the league’s unmatched ability to aggregate advertiser interest at scale.
Taken together, the opening weekend numbers are less a spike and more a statement. With 515 million viewers, 32.6 billion minutes of watch-time, and double-digit growth across formats, IPL 2026 has not just started strong, it has set the tone for a season that looks poised to push the boundaries of both sport and spectacle.
