Envivo, Cisco partner to improve OTT Streaming Video Service in Africa

Envivo Communications Limited (Envivo), has announced plans to launch a new OTT streaming video service, nVIVO TV, powered by the Cisco® Infinite Video Platform, to offer its subscribers access to more ‘Nollywood’ and international video content on more devices throughout Africa.

Envivo will use a mix of Cisco OTT video solutions including the Cisco Infinite Video Platform, a cloud services platform for service providers and content owners to process, secure, distribute and monetize premium video on any consumer device, along with the Cisco Open Media Distribution for Content Delivery Network (CDN), Virtual Media Packager and Cloud Object Storage. The new services will be available beginning early 2018.

“The vision of nVIVO TV is to drive the African and African diaspora market toward a new online streaming experience that provides significant domestic content,” said Olu Obadina, Chairman and Chief Innovation Officer at Envivo Communications Limited.

“We understood from the onset that we needed a strategic partner like Cisco. With the Infinite Video Platform as the core of our network, we are able to meet our immediate requirements, with the scale and flexibility to expand as our needs evolve.”

‘Nollywood’ content (Nigerian-grown content) is currently the fastest growing video content in the world. Yet despite its popularity, Africa continues to register low television penetration within households and despite the increase in number of cinemas, there’s only an average of a cinema screen per one million people in the region.

Streaming video is fast becoming the norm for watching movies, shows and other video content in Africa, with many households having smartphones or other mobile devices to use. To help broaden the availability of video content to more people in Africa, Envivo will offer streaming video services for Nollywood and international content across mobile devices including phones, tablets and PCs.

“TV viewing happens on many screens beyond the home, and it has become increasingly critical for service providers to meet consumers’ needs for video content on their preferred screen,” said Conrad Clemson, senior vice president and general manager, Service Provider Platforms and Applications, Cisco.

“Our collaboration with Envivo to expand its video platform with new cloud-powered streaming video capabilities will offer new entertainment experiences for millions of people across the region at the touch of an app.”