Axel Springer Digital TV Guide Joins NDS's Recommendations Engine Partner Program

Interactive TV and content-protection technology provider, NDS, said Tuesday that Axel Springer Digital TV Guide, a German provider of EPG's and other video discovery solutions for new television platforms, has become the fourth company to join the NDS Recommendations Engine Partner Program (note: the latter is designed to provide a choice of pre-integrated partners to NDS customers that are looking to implement a recommendations service on their platforms; the other members of the program are Jinni, ThinkAnalytics and TV Genius). The deal will see NDS offering Axel Springer's personalized video-discovery and recommendation solution to its customers through the program.

According to NDS, Axel Springer has extensive experience in editorial content creation and editorial recommendations for print and online program guide services, as well as intelligent, personalized recommendation and content-discovery technology. Springer's service, which was introduced to consumers in a number of European markets last year, is billed as providing "self-learning" personalized recommendation technology across a range of distribution platforms, enabling operators to deliver an enriched experience to their subscribers. Rather than having to search actively for appropriate content, Axel Springer claims, users are presented with personalized content from multiple entertainment sources to view at their convenience. "Our reach in the German content market enables us to add great value in the field of content discovery for German pay-TV operators," Axel Springer Digital TV Guide managing director, Stephan Zech, said in a prepared statement. "With a solution that addresses the needs of both the operator and the viewer, we look forward to working with NDS to enrich the viewing experience." Added NDS's VP of European sales, Yves Padrines: "Aiding content discovery is a key element for increasing ARPU and reducing churn on pay-TV platforms. With the incorporation of a recommendations service, based on viewer preferences and viewing history, operators are enabled with a powerful tool to maintain subscribers and increase the relevance of their viewing. Axel Springer provide a great opportunity for added value content discovery in the German market, with existing access to a wealth of programming information; they are a welcome addition to the Recommendations Engine Partner Program."