Harris Broadcast to acquire Imagine Communications

Harris said the deal would strengthen its end-to-end solutions portfolio, in particular its OTT, mobile video and multi-screen TV everywhere capabilities, as well as boosting interoperability of linear and non-linear technology and systems.

The transaction, which is subject to regulatory approvals and closing conditions, is expected to complete in January.

“Many of our content originator customers have been adding services for OTT and TV everywhere, but have had to do so with bifurcated systems for linear and non-linear services,” said Harris Broadcast chief executive Charlie Vogt.

“This acquisition enables Harris Broadcast to take a leadership position in the OTT and TV everywhere market, while laying the foundation for the first true software defined integration of sales, scheduling, automation, playout and delivery across both linear and non-linear content distribution networks.

“Additionally, through this acquisition, we will expand our R&D and innovation initiatives, strengthen our encoding, transcoding and ABR market position, and increase our total global addressable market.”

Imagine’s systems serve digital broadcast markets as well as emerging applications such as TV everywhere, network DVR (nDVR), internet and mobile video and IPTV.