South America’s broadband cable television operator, VTR GlobalCom, launched Chile’s first on-demand service with an end-to-end solution from SeaChange International, including on-demand software, video servers, middleware and network QAMs. VTR debuted its "VTR On Demand" Hollywood movies, music videos, karaoke and broadcast programs in December.

Going beyond offering hit movies on demand, VTR has rolled out SeaChange’s Axiom Recording System software to bring subscribers news, sports, events and other local broadcast and network programming. Directly integrated with Axiom, the Recording System automatically captures scheduled shows for immediate on-demand access, while Axiom content management ensures that on-demand libraries are always stocked with fresh broadcast content.

VTR plans to take full advantage of VOD’s interactive nature, using its network’s two-way communication capabilities to deliver new applications to users at the click of a remote control button. The operator sees VOD as only the beginning of many future interactive television services.

SeaChange’s VODlink middleware also plays a strategic role at VTR by ensuring the ideal subscriber experience amid rapidly growing content choices. The comprehensive VTR On Demand portal was built with VODlink development tools and provides the unique advantage of SeaChange’s “wall of posters” navigation. Other functionality includes content search by actor, title, director and keyword.

VTR is deploying VODlink DVD-on-Demand as well, another application that elevates the on-demand television experience by streaming complete DVDs with all the control and extras that consumers expect. Meanwhile, the patented VODlink Channel Overlay technology will empower VTR to tap into content genre or brand preferences by presenting viewers with direct links to on-demand titles and channels that are relevant to the live broadcast they are watching. Throughout the Americas, SeaChange VODlink is the navigation solution for more than four million two-way set top boxes, spanning high-end to low-end models.

Finally, VTR has tapped SeaChange to deploy Casa C2100 series QAM (quadrature amplitude modulation) edge devices throughout its nationwide network. Casa’s extremely compact (1RU) and dense (64 channels) software-based QAMs ensure the optimal use of network bandwidth for on-demand and other digital services in the face of diminishing headend space and increasing operational costs resulting from non-stop integration of new technologies and digital upgrades. Casa products are backed by SeaChange’s worldwide customer support team.