Cloud-based online video publishing company thePlatform has partnered with Verizon Digital Media Services to help drive multi-screen video delivery for pay-TV operators and content providers. Under the deal, VDMS services have been integrated with thePlatform's mpx video management system, forming a solution that will be jointly sold. The primary benefit is streamlined online video workflow which can be managed from a unified console.

Key to the integration is Verizon's single-format video acquisition and distribution capability, which is primarily attributable to VDMS's acquisition of upLynk last November. upLynk enables content to be encoded one time, with the resulting adaptive stream working across all devices, thereby reducing complexity. upLynk complements the EdgeCast content delivery network which Verizon also acquired late last year.

The partnership underscores the rising importance of TV Everywhere delivery to multiple devices by both pay-TV operators and content providers. While TVE has made progress, there is still a lot of complexity and cost (not to mention rights issues) involved in deploying TVE, which have limited the initiative from realizing its potential. Partnerships like thePlatform-VDMS are intended to accelerate deployments.

(Note: thePlatform is a VideoNuze sponsor)