DIGITAL + and Cisco sign technology agreement

DIGITAL +, Spain's leading audiovisual entertaiment provider, has signed an important agreement with CISCO, the worldwide leader in Internet networking  and infrastructure solutions. The alliance is aimed at developing iPlus technology, the next-generation DIGITAL + decoder, and will enable the optimization of user interaction with audiovisual content.

The agreement also foresees a new line of  financing to cover innovation and the further development of iPlus, which will allow it to continue to meet its commitments to providing the latest technology and to strengthen its lead in the Spanish market.

Pedro García Guillén, CEO of PRISA TV, stressed the importance of the agreement and highlighted its future value: "The alliance between Digital + and CISCO is a strategic agreement within the framework of our digital transformation. It enables us to continue developing the production of our iPlus thanks to the provision of finance and cutting-edge technology. And from the standpoint of service to our customers, it allows us to fulfill our commitment to offer all the best content with the most advanced technology. "

Kamal Bherwani, PRISA's Chief Digital Officer said  that "an enormous transformation is taking place in the distribution of video and the integration of this distribution with interactive technologies, including social media. This agreement with an innovative partner such as CISCO will allow Digital+ to offer its clients a first-rate experience, combining top-quality content and interactive experiences".

José Manuel Petisco, CEO of CISCO Spain, said that "the audiovisual market is at a crossroads, marked by the growing demand of users to access the content they want, when they want and from any device. This new collaboration with one of the industry leaders, Grupo PRISA, responds to this need, and will enable CISCO España to reinforce its commitment and leadership in the area of ​​distribution of audiovisual and multimedia content, not only at a technological level but also at the level of specific technical and human resources. "

Meanwhile, Santiago Lopez, director of CISCO's Service Providers division in Spain, said that "collaboration between CISCO and PRISA will foster the evolution of TV platforms by integrating new content, new ways of accessing content and new pathways of user choice, thus leading ultimately to a real on-demand service. "

iPlus, an innovative approach that has changed the way people watch TV

The alliance between DIGITAL + and CISCO will bring the most innovative technology developed exclusively for Digital + into the homes of users.

iPlus is curretly the most advanced digital TV terminal on the market and the only one providing HD and 3D broadcasts on the Digital + platform. iPlus is equipped with a high-capacity hard drive allowing users to record and play DIGITAL + content at any time, to tune in to DTT, freeze live broadcasts or continue viewing, repeat the most recent sequences, and program serialized broadcasts. In short, it engages viewers in a closer relationship with TV content and allows them to enjoy even the smallest detail.

IPlus is currently available in more than 400,000 households (of the subscriber base of Digital + 1,800,000 customers) who have consistently rated the experience positively. iPlus users say that the decoder allows them to take better advantage of television - according to a study carried out by the platform - with 81% of those surveyed saying that the iPlus has changed the way they watch TV viewing and 88% considering DIGITAL + to be at the forefront of Pay TV thanks to iPlus.

About CISCO

CISCO (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking that transforms how people connect, communicate and collaborate. Information about CISCO can be found at http://www.cisco.com and http://www.cisco.es

About PRISA TV

PRISA TV is Grupo Prisa's audiovisual holding company and owner of Digital +, the leading audiovisual entertaiment provider in Spain. With 1,800,000 subscribers, Digital + has pioneered the production and implementation of digital television, high definition and 3D broadcasts and the development of interactive services.