Cisco buys Sky-backed OTT startup 1 Mainstream

Cisco has acquired California-based over-the-top technology company 1Mainstream – a startup that Sky invested US$5 million (€4.57 million) in earlier this year. 

Announcing the deal, Cisco said that 1 Mainstream’s cloud-based video platform, which lets partners launch live and on-demand OTT video services to a variety of connected devices, will enhance its own offerings in this area.

“1 Mainstream’s technology complements Cisco’s new ‘Infinite’ suite of cloud-powered video entertainment solutions designed to help service providers, broadcasters and media companies to deliver outstanding TV experiences to multiple screens, utilising one cloud, on any network,” said Cisco’s vice-president of corporate business development, Rob Salvagno.

“Today’s acquisition will enable service providers, broadcasters and media companies to make their entire channel lineup and content library available to their customers on the internet via their TV, tablet or connected devices, either within the home or on the go.”

1 Mainstream will join Cisco’s Service Provider Video Software and Solutions Cloud Engineering Group, under the leadership of Conrad Clemson, senior vice president and general manager.

The deal was agreed for undisclosed terms and is expected to close in the second quarter of Cisco’s current fiscal year.

Sky’s March investment in 1 Mainstream took its total investment in the company to US$7 million, after it first put US$2 million into the firm back in August 2013.

Sky has used 1 Mainstream’s platform in the past to broaden distribution of its OTT services like Sky News and Now TV – its online sports, entertainment and movie offering.

1 Mainstream’s automation technology is designed to allow content firms to launch OTT services across platforms like Apple TV, Xbox, Android TV and Samsung in a matter of weeks with minimal upfront costs.