Charter signs on another VOD partner

By Susan Rush
from CED Broadband Direct, June 4, 2002

Charter Communications Inc. is not letting the Diva Systems bankruptcy filing slow down its video-on-demand push, the MSO has signed up nCUBE Corp. as one of its VOD equipment vendors.

As part of the deal, Charter has installed nCUBE equipment in six markets, including Birmingham, Ala.; Fort Worth, Texas; Newtown, Conn.; and Glendale, Long Beach and Pasadena, Calif. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Charter is using nCUBE equipment, including the nABLE On-Demand management system, nODA, which enables operators to customize user guides and the n4 and enhanced n4x servers.

In April, Charter announced a deal with another VOD system vendor, Concurrent Computer Corp. -- the deal marked the end of its exclusive VOD agreement with Diva Systems Inc. Charter is using Concurrent's MediaHawk VOD system in markets where it delivers VOD services over the Motorola platform. Thus far, Charter has installed and tested the equipment in Asheville, N.C.; Duluth, Ga.; Greenville/Spartanburg, S.C.; Hickory, N.C.; Slidell, La.; and St. Louis, Mo.

Charter says it began shopping for new VOD vendors when Diva's troubles began to surface several months ago. Last Wednesday, Diva filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Interactive program guide provider Gemstar-TV Guide International has agreed to acquire Diva’s software and technology assets as part of a pre-packaged bankruptcy deal.