Irdeto announced that ETV-Network has chosen the Irdeto Digital TV solution to protect its popular satellite TV channels ETV and ETV2, hereby converting its free-to-air broadcast to pay TV services.

ETV and ETV2 are the most popular channels of ETV-Network’s channel line-up and aim at reaching the Telugu-speaking people across India and around the world. At present ETV and ETV 2 cover India and more than 50 different countries.

"ETV and ETV2 are known for providing the best of family entertainment and leading edge news, and thus, it was crucial that we protect this content with the most robust conditional access solution possible," said Mr. K. Bapineedu, vice-president operations, ETV-Network. "Irdeto's reputation as the proven leader in the industry with an unparalleled record of three generations of uncompromised smart cards in the market was key in our decision to go with their content security solution."

Graham Kill, CEO of Irdeto, said, "Leading broadcasters like ETV-Network realize that content security plays a key role in securing revenue. Irdeto offers a choice in proven content security solutions that support many different business models creating new business opportunities for content owners and network operators.”

"We are committed to curtailing piracy on local and national levels," Rahul Nehra, Irdeto’s India country manager, added. "In order for ETV-Network to achieve a successful conversion from free-to-air to pay TV services, a tried and tested content protection solution was crucial. We are pleased to be selected by ETV-Network to protect two of its key local-language channels."