According to Microsoft

Nov 11, 2008 09:07 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft is applauding a consistent growth in the adoption rate of its Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) and multimedia software platform. According to the Redmond company, Mediaroom-powered services worldwide have passed the 2 million subscribers milestone, a mark interpreted as the increasing consumer transition away from broadcast and onto connected TV. Statistics made available by the software giant indicate that the number of subscribers to Mediaroom-powered TV services have doubled in less than a year. At this point in time, Mediaroom is serving content to approximately 4 million set-top boxes around the world.

“The growing momentum and differentiation of Mediaroom-based services signals consumer demand for TV experiences beyond traditional cable and satellite offerings,” explained Enrique Rodriguez, corporate vice president of the Connected TV Division for Microsoft. “While the technology can be intricate, the formula is simple - deliver quality content experiences that engage viewers in new, more impactful and easy-to-use ways. Powerful software plus a two-way, connected environment are now fundamental components to success in the new era of TV services.”

In the past quarter of 2008, Mediaroom customers have managed to attract no less than half a million new subscribers to the services offered via the Redmond giant's IPTV and multimedia software platform. With Mediaroom, consumers are able to enjoy options and features inexistent with standard broadcast television services, including personalized information, play back capabilities for standard-definition and high-definition recorded programs and even the ability to configure DVR from a remote device.

“The commercial rollout of advanced Mediaroom features is raising the bar for all TV services, as recognized by recent industry awards. In addition, monitoring solutions specialist Witbe last month found Microsoft Mediaroom-powered services to have the fastest channel changing speeds of any TV services tested globally,” Microsoft added. Witbe indicated that Mediaroom platforms deliver the top performance in P+/P- mode, namely an average of 0.6 seconds.