Miranda Technologies Acquires Softel

Softel, headquartered in Pangbourne, UK, has a long history of innovation and strong customer relationships through its award-winning line of captioning and subtitling solutions that simplify this complex, legally required addition to a broadcaster’s playout workflow.

“Captioning is a critical component of the playout chain, and one that is often difficult to manage,” said Marco Lopez, Miranda’s president.  “By introducing Softel’s technology into the Miranda portfolio and directly integrating it into our iTX solution, we’ll present broadcasters with further efficiencies, not only in the purchase process, but also during deployment and in post-sale support as well. Miranda will continue to support the full Softel solutions suite and honor all Softel partner agreements.”

In addition to its Swift™ line of subtitling and captioning products, Softel also offers a host of advanced television systems that improve efficiency and enable new revenue streams. Network operators can offer interactive television and “second screen” applications to their subscribers and improve headend efficiency with the MediaSphere™ suite or add MPEG ad insertion capabilities with Oliver™. Softel also provides solutions for ancillary data processing, audio/video description and Teletext.

“We’re certain our customers will benefit from the synergies this acquisition creates,” said Sam Pemberton, Softel’s CEO. “Being aligned with Miranda in the Belden family extends our reach into potential new markets and being part of this team allows us to focus on continuous innovation.”

Integration planning will be led by a team of Miranda and Softel executives, but there will be no business disruption for Miranda or Softel during the transition. The integration is expected to be complete by this summer.

Softel provides subtitling and closed captioning software, interactive TV playout and management platforms, solutions for Teletext as well as, audio-description and ad insertion software.The Softel software supports broadcasters and network operators in delivering technology advancements that generate new revenues while reducing operational costs.Softel actively form partnerships with other complementary businesses in order to offer the complete system for customers. The aim is to ensure promptly deliver of their new services, shortening their time to market and enabling them to start generating revenue rapidly.

For over 23 years, Miranda Technologies has been a leading worldwide provider of hardware and software solutions for the television broadcast, cable, satellite and IPTV industry. Its solutions span the full breadth of television operations, including production, playout and delivery. With a wealth of experience in delivering IT-based and traditional television systems, Miranda leverages its expertise to create the highest quality solutions available and delivers, deploys and supports them with a company-wide commitment to keeping the customer first. Miranda was acquired in July 2012 by St. Louis-based Belden Inc. and is the cornerstone of its broadcast division. Belden is a worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of cables, connectivity and networking products for many industries including broadcast, entertainment, consumer electronics, education, transportation and industrial automation.