NightShift lets Netflix users with slow internet enjoy their movies without buffering.
Often we face the video buffering problem because of the slow internet, it is even more annoying when there a Netflix we have ordered and are unable to see it because of a limited internet connectivity. Well, worry no more, there a new kid on the block to keep these worries at bay!
Introducing NightShift, A unique solution which lets Netflix users with slow or limited internet connections enjoy their favourite shows and movies in full HD without buffering. It works best with millions of satellite, DSL and other rural internet services with either slow high-speed limits or free night zones. NightShift essentially pre-loads the chosen content automatically overnight (off-peak, low traffic or free zones) and plays it on demand during prime times/ peak periods.
This helps users with limited internet packages and slow services to get the HD experience without affecting their limits or overpaying for internet. The solution includes a recommended high performance router, 64 GB storage device and pre-installed software to manage user content.
The Inception Story
CEO Gerrit Nagelhout and his two co-founders Scott and Dan at Aterlo Networks (parent company) were all long-time employees of traffic management specialist Sandvine, where they learned firsthand about the growing impact Netflix is having on ISPs and their subscribers. So when they left Sandvine in the summer of 2014, they were initially looking to help ISPs to optimize their networks for Netflix. But while doing research, they stumbled across millions of rural internet subscribers in the US that have no ability to use Netflix at all despite broadband internet connections – and this eureka moment led the company to target these potential consumers directly.
The company was founded in Sept 2014 with an early beta launch in Nov 2014. They have been selling NightShift since April 2015.
The Streaming Media Market
There are 160 million households globally that have high speed Internet but cannot stream high definition video such as Netflix. These people typically live in sub-urban and rural areas and are therefore limited in their entertainment options. Traditional TV consumption is on the decline. As per research, in 2014, there was a 13% drop in viewing hours. 460k cable subscriptions were cancelled last quarter. Cord cutting continues to gain traction and more streaming content is rapidly becoming available.
This is where NightShift makes the difference. The product makes it possible for these millions of households to join their better connected friends in adopting streaming video services.
The Story So Far
NightShift has recently raised $1 million in funding led by the MaRS Investment Accelerator Fund. BDC Capital and Sandvine, which recently received $15 million from the provincial government, also invested in the round. Aterlo(NightShift’s Parent Company) will use the funding to expand features of its NightShift product, hire local talent and expand marketing team.
NightShift is a subscription-based solution and monthly plans start at US$ 5.99 per month. There’s a one time investment for $99 to get the router, storage device and software combination. NightShift can be purchased directly from the website or through one of their hundreds of dealers across the U.S. The company also works directly with Internet service providers to help decrease customer churn and network costs by applying the technology transparently to the network.
Next Steps
In the near future, the company would be be able to solve the streaming concern for services beyond Netflix as more and more cord-cutting streaming services are becoming available for subscribers.
Gerrit commented,
“At the moment, we are one of a kind company in the world dedicated to solving this problem with streaming services like Netflix using the router as a critical component of the relationship which allows buffer-free stream the next day. It’s very different from a web based recording service.”
The recent funding NightShift secured, will use to expand features of the product, hire local talent and expand marketing team. While potentially the company’s vision is to target all countries with presence of streaming services like Netflix and poor internet infrastructure, they are focused on solving the problem in the US first.
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Akash Boaz
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