From Rumor To Reality: IBM Acquires Ustream Video Service
One of the rumors buzzing around the tech world this morning was that IBM was in talks to acquire Ustream, a video streaming service claiming to have over 80 million viewers and broadcasters. Not long after rumors hit the web, IBM made it official, announcing that it now owns Ustream, which joins the company's newly formed IBM Cloud Video Services unit.
IBM didn't disclose financial terms of the detail, though it did specify its motivation for doing the deal, which boiled down to a desire to extend its cloud platform and beef up its portfolio of video services that now spans open API development, digital and visual analytics, simplified management, and consistent delivery across global industries.
"Video is the most powerful and emotional medium," said Brad Hunstable, CEO, Ustream. "Increasingly it is becoming the favored form of communication, not just for entertainment, but also for business. We’ve built a video platform that is easy-to-use, yet incredibly scalable, secure and powerful and it is these qualities that made us an ideal addition to IBM’s portfolio."
This acquisition allows IBM to provide an all encompassing, end-to-end suite of digital video solutions without tapping into third-party vendors, a first for Big Blue.
"As a result, clients will be able to take advantage of every stage of the video life cycle through advances in customization, digital access, visual analytics and more, all to enable the consistent delivery of video content globally," said Braxton Jarratt, General Manager of the newly formed IBM Cloud Video Services unit.
Ustream also brings some big name corporate customers to the fold, including NASA, Samsung, Facebook, Nike, and The Discovery Channel.
IBM didn't disclose financial terms of the detail, though it did specify its motivation for doing the deal, which boiled down to a desire to extend its cloud platform and beef up its portfolio of video services that now spans open API development, digital and visual analytics, simplified management, and consistent delivery across global industries.
"Video is the most powerful and emotional medium," said Brad Hunstable, CEO, Ustream. "Increasingly it is becoming the favored form of communication, not just for entertainment, but also for business. We’ve built a video platform that is easy-to-use, yet incredibly scalable, secure and powerful and it is these qualities that made us an ideal addition to IBM’s portfolio."
This acquisition allows IBM to provide an all encompassing, end-to-end suite of digital video solutions without tapping into third-party vendors, a first for Big Blue.
"As a result, clients will be able to take advantage of every stage of the video life cycle through advances in customization, digital access, visual analytics and more, all to enable the consistent delivery of video content globally," said Braxton Jarratt, General Manager of the newly formed IBM Cloud Video Services unit.
Ustream also brings some big name corporate customers to the fold, including NASA, Samsung, Facebook, Nike, and The Discovery Channel.
