Video On Demand (VOD): Concept to Reality & Beyond
OVERVIEW
Launching the Video On Demand Industry
Services
API Development and Integration
Cloud Infrastructure
Communication Design
Content Audit & Analysis
Data & Intelligence
Data Analytics
Migration and Modernization
Video Editing & Post Production
Web Development
Website Design
Workshop Facilitation
In 2007, Time Warner Cable, the second-largest cable company in the USA, faced a pivotal challenge. They needed a user-friendly, companion marketing website to enhance their Video On Demand (VOD) service, which lacked essential features like search functionality and ability to peruse the catalog with ease and speed. Our partnership with Time Warner Cable led to the creation of a groundbreaking VOD onilne platform that would transform how consumers accessed and interacted with video content, paving the way for all modern streaming platforms.
THE CHALLENGE
Creatinga a web based Video On Demand (VOD) Experience
Groundbreaking at its time, Time Warner Cable’s original Video On Demand set-top box was limited in functionality, slow to peruse the catalog yet, offering approximately 4,000 titles the ability to search. To create this website, VOD data needed to be available via the internet yet was only transfered via satellite. The absence of internet-based data transfer further complicated the challenge. A solution was needed that would enable consumers to easily find and enjoy content while allowing the marketing team to update features swiftly. The system also needed to scale to accommodate a growing library of content and improve customer engagement.
THE SOLUTION
Pioneering a VOD Platform with Advanced Features
We designed one of the first VOD websites that resembled today’s streaming giants like Netflix and Hulu, featuring robust search capabilities and content previews. Our solution included custom software that:
- Normalized VOD data
- Custom CMS for site management
- Ability to easily launch campaign specific microsites
- First to offer video previews and trailers for movies, events and shows
- Personalized content experience
- Back-office tools for VOD management
Serving hundreds of millions of pages, over the 14-year engagement we revamped the user experience three times, introduced personalized features like favorites lists, customized communication channels, created mission critical ops toolset and migrated the racked system to an AWS cloud-based solution with microservices, saving substantial costs.
THE RESULT
Transforming Customer Experience & Saving Costs
The collaboration led to a state-of-the-art VOD platform serving over 150,000 titles to 32 million customers setting a standard in the industry. The platform’s advanced search capabilities and personalized features significantly enhanced the customer experience, leading to increased engagement and satisfaction. By migrating to the cloud and adopting microservices, we helped Spectrum save hundreds of thousands of dollars. When Charter Communications acquired Time Warner Cable, their VOD platform was integrated with Charter’s system, adding additional services and offerings with the launch of Spectrum, further expanding its reach and impact.
