EchoStar Technologies, a global technology and communications company serving the industry for nearly 30 years, announced Aria (News - Alert), a new technology 'ecosystem' designed exclusively for mid-sized and independent cable TV operators.

In a press release, EchoStar revealed its plan to officially launch the technology on June 14 during the cable industry's annual signature convention, The Cable Show held in Chicago's McCormick Place.

"Our engineers have designed an economical technology platform that will allow smaller cable operators to deliver the premium television features and services most in demand by consumers today without the need to invest in new facilities, servers, data centers and additional engineering staff," said Mark Jackson, president of EchoStar Technologies L.L.C., a business unit of EchoStar Corporation.

As stated, the new Aria features cloud-based VOD, TV Everywhere, and an interactive HD program guide, among other attributes.

Aria is designed to run in concert with new EchoStar SD, HD or SlingLoaded set-top boxes that will also be introduced at The Cable Show. This will allow operators to take advantage of the trend in multi-platform, out-of-home viewing but in a way that brands the experience to the local cable operator.

Other services that can be delivered as part of Aria include: TV Everywhere, multi-screen any location services, Sophisticated graphical user interfaces with "skins" branded for the local cable TV operator, Universal search across all of a consumer's authorized content, including linear TV, VOD or over-the-top services, Remote DVR timer setting, All-digital high-definition VOD.

“We believe EchoStar's innovative technology suite can provide an 'ecosystem' that will help operators provide the services to be more competitive," said Michael Hawkey, vice president of sales and marketing, EchoStar Technologies. Hawkey also said that Aria is engineered to perform on existing networks without a painful integration period.

In May, Deluxe/EchoStar LLC, a joint venture between Deluxe Digital Cinema Inc., and EchoStar Satellite (News - Alert) Services L.L.C., a subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation signed an agreement with Dallas-based Rave Cinemas, LLC, the fifth largest exhibitor in the U.S., for satellite distribution of content to Rave's circuit of 817 digital screens in 20 states under the Rave Motion Pictures brand.

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