AxiomTV Selects VeriSign to Enable Superior
Download of Family-Friendly Films
VeriSign Launches the Industry’s First Intelligent Content Delivery
Network – Fundamentally Changing the Economics of Distributing DVD-Quality
Video Over the Internet
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA., Dec. 19, 2006 - VeriSign, Inc. (Nasdaq:
VRSN), the leading provider of intelligent infrastructure for the networked
world, today announced that AxiomTV will be the first movie download
service launched on the new VeriSign® Intelligent Content Delivery Network
(CDN), distributing secure, family-friendly films with an exceptional
customer experience.
The VeriSign Intelligent CDN is the first solution
to combine the power of VeriSign’s broadly deployed Kontiki peer-to-peer
(P2P) technology with the capabilities of a traditional CDN, delivering
faster download speeds while maintaining high standards for reliability
and security. This solution fundamentally changes the economics
of the broadband delivery of DVD-quality video and provides a significant
technical advantage over existing CDNs.
“One of the greatest challenges media and entertainment
companies face is how to meet the growing demand for more Internet-based
content in an economically viable and secure manner,” said Todd Johnson,
vice president for broadband content services, VeriSign. “By leveraging
the patented Kontiki peer-to-peer technology and the latest streaming
technology, the VeriSign Intelligent CDN offers an end-to-end solution
which enables our customers to choose the right viewer experience for
each specific piece of content. For short previews and user generated
content it is likely to be streamed, for long form content, it likely
to be delivered with P2P.”
VeriSign Intelligent CDN enables media companies,
like AxiomTV, to safely distribute their copyrighted content with full
digital rights management, at a lower cost and higher quality.
With a legacy in Internet security, VeriSign is leveraging its scalable,
global infrastructure to offer a range of streaming, download and play
options in addition to the Kontiki P2P technology.
“We are a groundbreaker as the first Internet movie
service focused on delivering family conscious entertainment as it pertains
to online video,” said Daniel Cobb, president of AxiomTV. “As families
bring their children online, we need to ensure that the movie content
is not only high quality, and most of all, legal and secure. We chose
VeriSign because they are the trust mark of the Internet. The fact that
they have the highest quality video delivery and a global infrastructure
is a bonus.”
VeriSign Intelligent CDN not only provides increased
flexibility from a technology standpoint, it offers customers an economic
benefit of approximately 40% when choosing a P2P delivery option.
"As global demand for online video increases,
content owners and providers are looking for the most cost efficient
and secure way to make their content available to viewers, on-demand,"
said analyst Allen Weiner, managing vice president, Gartner. "Growth
in this market will be realized by those able to capitalize on the benefits
of legitimate peer to peer distribution while providing a seamless customer experience
for high quality video over broadband.”
Online purchases of media reached $19 billion in 2005
and will increase to $67 billion by 2010 according to PricewaterhouseCoopers’
Global Entertainment and Media Outlook 2006-2010. Except for MP3 music,
most of this content is still delivered by mail. Now, analysts suggest
that Internet video services are on the brink of becoming the next mainstream
phenomenon in the United States. According to InStat, the annual value
of consumer video delivered over Internet Protocol networks will grow
to $4.6 billion by 2008, an increase from only $1.38 billion in 2005
(Research and Markets).
The VeriSign Kontiki peer-to-peer technology is already
deployed by some of the world’s largest broadcast media companies and
enterprises. Current customers include AOL, BBC, Channel 4 and SkyTV.
About Axiom
Axiom.TV is the World’s first family friendly and parental controlled
Internet TV channel. Focusing on families, Axiom.TV is developing a
website that makes the movie download process user-friendly for all
ages and for all computer skill-levels, taking the next step to blur
the line between your PC, your TV and your DVD player. In addition,
Axiom.TV will be the first movie download technology that will protect
children from inappropriate content including pornography, violence
and vulgarity through a military-grade web-blocking technology called
“Mother.” The pre-launch dummy-website, axiomtv.com, gives a visual
representation and overview of how Axiom.TV will work for its beta launch
on January 8, 2007. The consumer launch is planned for February 1, 2007.
About VeriSign
VeriSign, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRSN), operates intelligent infrastructure services
that enable and protect billions of interactions every day across the
world’s voice and data networks. Additional news and information about
the company is available at www.verisign.com.
Trademarks
VeriSign, Kontiki and other trademarks, service marks, and logos are
registered or unregistered marks of VeriSign, Inc. and its subsidiaries
in the United States and in foreign countries. Copyright © 2006 VeriSign,
Inc. All rights reserved.
For More Information
VeriSign Media Relations: Lisa Malloy, lmalloy@verisign.com,
202-270-7600
VeriSign Media Relations: Allison Flerl, aflerl@verisign.com,
650-426-4649
VeriSign Investor Relations: Nancy Fazioli, ir@verisign.com,
650-426-5146
Forward-Looking Statement
Statements in this announcement other than historical data and information
constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section
27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. These statements involve risks and uncertainties
that could cause VeriSign's actual results to differ materially from
those stated or implied by such forward-looking statements. The potential
risks and uncertainties include, among others, the uncertainty of future
revenue and profitability and potential fluctuations in quarterly operating
results due to such factors as the inability of VeriSign to successfully
develop and market new products and services and customer acceptance
of any new products or services, including VeriSign Intelligent Content
Delivery Network; the possibility that this service may not result in
additional customers, profits or revenues; and increased competition
and pricing pressures. More information about potential factors that
could affect the company's business and financial results is included
in VeriSign's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including
in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 2005 and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. VeriSign undertakes no
obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements after the
date of this press release.
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