• by Ross Fadner , June 20, 2012

Media giant NBC Universal on Tuesday selected thePlatform’s cloud-based mpx system to be the online video management and distribution hub for its USA, Syfy and Oxygen cable networks -- a move that enables the cable networks to distribute their TV content across Web connected devices, potentially opening the door to new “TV Everywhere” services.  

“TV Everywhere” services enable cable and satellite subscribers to access TV content on any device once they log in with their pay TV information.

Marc Siry, SVP, Digital Products and Services at NBCUniversal, said the move underscores the company’s commitment to making its vast stable of cable TV content available to consumers online.

TechCrunch’s Ryan Lawler expects full-length programming from USA, Syfy and Oxygen to be on its way to the Web as part of independent TV Everywhere initiatives. NBCU did not have any specific details to announce in that regard on Tuesday, but it did say the mpx distribution system would be utilized independently according to the specific needs of each cable network. 

"Given the independent needs of our programmers, thePlatform provides us with proven flexibility and enterprise-grade reliability that will benefit us across our organization," Siry said.

Both NBCU and thePlatform are owned by Comcast Corp. ThePlaform already distributes video for a number of NBCU’s other networks, including E, NBC Local Media, NBC Sports Regional Networks, Sprout, Style and the Golf Channel.

Most of thePlatform’s big clients are multichannel pay TV operators like Cablevision, Comcast, Cox Communications, Liberty Global, PBS, Rogers, Shaw Media, and Time Warner Cable.