WideOrbit Granted Three Patents for Audio and Video Streaming Innovations
Inventions increase control, engagement and monetization of live and on-demand streamed broadcasts
San Francisco(15 Jul 2015)
WideOrbit Inc., the leading provider of advertising management software for media companies, announced the issuance by the U.S. Patent Office of three patents that will provide broadcasters with greater control, engagement and monetization of streamed content.
The patents define and protect inventions, respectively, that enable advertising insertion in audio and video streams delivered with HTTP Live Streaming (HLS); content manipulation and personalization of live-streamed broadcasts; and control and monetization of content inserted in programming streamed remotely by third parties.
The patent for invention 8,996,712 covers the technology in WideOrbit’s WO Streaming for inserting targeted advertising in audio and video streams based on the HLS protocol. HLS is a common video streaming protocol implemented by Apple Inc. as part of its QuickTime, Safari, OS X, and iOS software. WO Streaming is a pioneering product in the use of HLS for audio streaming.
“Although it is not commonly employed by radio broadcasters that stream, virtually all video streaming is based on HLS. We believe audio broadcasters will adopt HLS to support the growing complexity of their streaming operations and support use cases like insertion of video advertisements into their streams,” said Rob Green, VP Streaming at WideOrbit.
The patent for invention 8,984,094 delivers content skipping technology that provides listeners greater control over live-streamed broadcasts. While song skipping is a common feature of on-demand audio services, it is not commonly part of a live-streamed experience. By enabling greater variety and creation of services that bridge the pure play and broadcast experiences, this invention will enhance the live-streamed broadcast experience, generating more listener engagement and time spent listening .
The patent for invention 9,003,443 provides program syndicators with greater control over content insertion at stations that stream their programming regardless of the presence of other insertion systems. Syndicators that employ this invention can insert content and advertising into audio streams without using injection markers or accessing the streaming party’s computer or encoders.
“One of our top priorities is to innovate on behalf of our customers’ needs in anticipation of the evolution of the media landscape,” said Eric R. Mathewson, Founder and CEO, WideOrbit. “These patents and our continued investment in research and development are exemplary of WideOrbit’s commitment to providing broadcasters, streamers and integrated media companies with technology that will help them make money from changes in how consumers enjoy audio and video content.”
About WideOrbit
WideOrbit (www.wideorbit.com) is the leader in premium broadcast technology and the largest sell-side processor of premium advertising in the world, covering the broadest assortment of media. WideOrbit is committed to helping media companies manage their advertising business more efficiently and profitably, from proposal to receipt of cash, across all media platforms via any sales method, from direct sold to programmatic. WideOrbit software manages more than $30 billion in annual ad spending. WideOrbit has been providing trusted solutions to the media industry since 1999, delivering high ROI, greater efficiencies and revenue optimization. More than 3,000 Television stations, Radio stations and Media Networks around the globe use WideOrbit Traffic software and another 3,200+ stations operate on WideOrbit Radio Automation platforms. Clients include: Bell Media (Canada), Canal+ (France), Corus Entertainment (Canada), DirecTV, Entercom Communications, Fox Sports, Galavision, Gannett Co., Hearst Television, Madison Square Garden, Meredith Corporation, NBCUniversal, Orange (France), Rogers Communications (Canada), Scripps Television Group, Time Inc., Tribune, Yankee Entertainment Sports, Univision, Viacom and more than 300 other major media organizations. WideOrbit is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in Seattle; New York; Denver; Dallas; Vancouver, WA; Birmingham, AL; Agawam, MA; London, UK: Paris, France; and Gothenburg, Sweden.