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Online TV specialist to power U.S. telco’s upcoming DirecTV streaming services.
AT&T has strengthened its TV anywhere capabilities this week by agreeing to acquire Quickplay Media.
Based in Canada, Quickplay provides a range of platforms, cloud-based software and managed services to support the delivery of TV and video content to any device. Its various solutions can support lean, over-the-top (OTT) streaming services to broadcast TV. In March 2015, the company added support for LTE Broadcast (LTE-B) to its managed video platform.
"Quickplay’s multitenant IP distribution infrastructure, combined with AT&T’s leading scale in IP connected end points, will allow us to host and distribute all forms of video traffic. We intend to scale and operate an industry-leading video distribution platform, and viewers will get the high-quality online video viewing experience they desire," said John Stankey, CEO of AT&T Entertainment Group, in a statement on Monday.
AT&T already uses Quickplay’s technology for its U-verse TV anywhere service. Quickplay will also underpin the telco’s three upcoming DirecTV streaming services: DirecTV Now, DirecTV Mobile, and DirecTV Preview. Each one is pitched at a different market segment, from big-spending, dedicated viewers, to a more casual, cost-conscious audience.
"We’ve spent more than a decade developing an advanced technology and service platform that can deliver premium video content to any device and over any network," said Wayne Purboo, founder and CEO of Quickplay. "With AT&T, we’ll have the resources we need to further scale, grow the business, and continuously enhance that platform."
Quickplay was founded in 2004. In 2012, private equity firm Madison Dearborn acquired a majority stake in the company.
AT&T did not disclose the value of Monday’s deal, which is expected to close in mid-2016.
AT&T said it plans to retain Quickplay’s 350 employees and contractors. "Their knowledge and skills are a key part of executing our video strategy," said Stankey.
"Our team is proud of what we’ve built so far and excited to join the AT&T family. This combination will help us power the next generation of video services," added Purboo.
