Cisco today announced its intent to acquire privately-held ExtendMedia, a
leading provider of software-based Content Management Systems (CMS) that manage
the entire lifecycle of video content through monetization for pay media and
ad-supported business models. Based in Newton, Mass., with the majority of its
employee base in Toronto, Canada, ExtendMedia will enable Cisco to help service
providers deliver multi-screen offerings as the market transitions to IP video.
"As the video market transitions and consumers expect multi-screen
engagement, service providers are enhancing their infrastructure to manage and
deliver video to any device while providing a rich user experience," said
Enrique Rodriguez, senior vice president and general manager, Cisco’s Service
Provider Video Technology Group. "ExtendMedia will strengthen Cisco’s position
in the delivery of IP video services by enabling service providers to provide a
more interactive and personal experience and to optimize quality for consumer
viewing devices."
ExtendMedia brings to Cisco a strong software team that understands the
complexities of delivering multi-screen video over IP networks. ExtendMedia’s
CMS software, which will integrate with Cisco’s current IP video offerings, will
be a core component of Cisco’s next-generation video architecture. Together,
Cisco and ExtendMedia will enable service providers to deploy a next-generation,
end-to-end video architecture that delivers the best consumer experience with
access to any content, over any network, on any device.
Financial terms of the transaction are undisclosed. The acquisition is
subject to various standard closing conditions and is expected to be complete in
the first half of Cisco’s fiscal year 2011. Upon the close of the acquisition,
the majority of the ExtendMedia team will be integrated into Cisco’s Service
Provider Video Technology Group. The ExtendMedia Sales and Professional
Services teams will integrate into the Cisco Sales and Advanced Services
organizations.
