Friend MTS expands in Chennai

Friend MTS, the leading global provider of platform, channel and content protection services, is expanding its presence into Asia with the opening of a new office in Chennai, India.

Rahul Nehra, one of India's most experienced and successful broadcast technology professionals, will spearhead the new venture which aims to protect studios, broadcasters and content owners in the region from unauthorized redistribution of their live and premium on-demand content.

Nehra, a well-known face in the Indian broadcast, satellite, content and OTT markets, is perfectly placed to help drive Friend MTS' expansion in the region. For more than 20 years he has contributed to the success of blue chip media companies, such as Intelsat, Exset-General Satellite and Latens-Pace, in Asia and across the globe.

"We are delighted to have someone with Rahul's profile and experience driving our growth in the Indian and wider Asian market. India is undoubtedly a key player in the global media and entertainment industry," said Friend MTS' EVP Global Sales and Marketing, Paul Hastings.

"It is currently the largest cinema market in the world with a rapidly growing digital appetite. Video piracy in India is a huge problem and one that is growing every day. Our global experience combined with Rahul's local knowledge will enable operators and broadcasters in the country to effectively fight the increasing threat to the revenue of premium channels and rights holders," added Paul Hastings.

In 2012, India was added to an 'International Piracy Watch List' by a U.S. government panel looking to highlight countries that are not taking sufficient action to address high rates of digital piracy.

According to a 2013 article in WIPO Magazine (the journal of the World Intellectual Property Organization), the Indian film industry loses around USD 3.34 billion and some 60,000 jobs every year because of piracy.

"Having worked in the Indian media industry for over 20 years I'm well aware of the issues that content piracy causes operators and content owners. Friend MTS has proven solutions and technology that solve this growing problem, and with the increase in video consumption now is the perfect time to introduce Friend MTS' services to the market," added Nehra.

With five other offices across Europe and the Americas, Friend MTS already protects the content and revenue potential of some of the biggest names in media and sport including English Premier League, Sky, WWE and BT Sport.