IBM has acquired Ustream, a provider of cloud-based live video streaming services in a move to extend the IBM Cloud portolio that spans open API development, digital and visual analytics, simplified management and consistent delivery across global industries.
Headquartered in San Francisco, Ustream provides cloud-based video streaming to enterprises and broadcasters for everything from corporate keynotes to live music concerts. The company streams live and on-demand video to about 80 million viewers per month for customers such as NASA, Samsung, Facebook, Nike and The Discovery Channel.
Ustream joins the newly-formed IBM Cloud Video Services unit that combines assets from IBM's R&D labs and other strategic acquisitions. The unit will be led by General Manager, Braxton Jarratt, and will target the $105 billion opportunity in cloud-based video services and software, according to IBM.
Robert LeBlanc, Senior Vice President, IBM Cloud
Video has become a first-class data type in business that requires accelerated performance and powerful analytics that allows clients to extract meaningful insights.
Brad Hunstable, CEO, Ustream
Video is the most powerful and emotional medium. 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.
