Kyte launches Console 2.0

Designed specifically for needs of growing clients which include MTV, VH1, ABC and more

Originally launched as a consumer-focused video product, Kyte is aggressively expanding its services to morph into a soup-to-nuts online video platform provider.  

Kyte, on Tuesday announced the launch of Kyte Console 2.0, which includes many upgrades, such as manual and smart playlists, and show scheduling and moderation, in hopes of landing the big clients.

Its expanding services increasingly put it head-to-head with other end-to-end online video platform providers, like Ooyala and Kaltura.

The company differentiates itself from the plethora of OVP's out there by also providing services in the mobile video, live streaming, and social video spaces. 

So, it addresses these upcoming trends we're seeing in online video like giving viewers the ability to chat and comment during live streams or getting live video out to smart phones during big events.  The startup's last big project was getting the Hope for Haiti app built for the iPhone - an assignment which Kyte COO, Gannon Hall told us, was given to them with pretty much a 24-hour deadline.  It was possible to get the job done because, included in its major update was the extension of its mobile application framework to the iPhone, Blackberry, Android and Nokia platforms, making it easier to get these apps pumped out in short periods of time. 

In building the new Console 2.0, Hall said Kyte specifically designed it to cater to the needs of its Tier 1 clients. 

When Kyte was originally launched back in 2007, it was a consumer-focused product.  Since then, Kyte has grown to focus on enterprise and professional clients. Among the long list of companies Kyte is working with include, Universal Music, Sony Entertainment, Warner Bro's, MTV, VH1, ABC, ESPN, NBA Digital, Armani Exchange and Monster Cable - so it's no small deal. 

Daniel Graf, CEO of Kyte commented, "the launch of Kyte Console 2.0 makes it easier than ever for our customers to manage and measure all their video assets, including on-demand, live, UGC and mobile video content."  

The major new features to Kyte Console 2.0 include:

Improved User Experience and Workflow:  Usability and workflow enhancements make it easier than ever to accomplish routine and complex tasks.

Manual and Smart Playlists: Manually group shows into playlists or automate the process by creating smart playlists based on custom criteria, such as newest, or most popular shows.  

Channel & Player Management:  Configure your channels, including engagement capabilities, and deliver through a wide range of standard or custom online and mobile players.  

Editorial Workflow and User Roles:  Assign functional user roles and enable editorial workflows to streamline processes and allow team members to focus on their core tasks.

Audio Shows with Slideshow:  Audio shows can be created with an accompanying slideshow, enabling the distribution of audio content while displaying related pictures.

Show Scheduling and Moderation:  Shows can be scheduled with start and end dates and times.

As a startup business, San Francisco-based Kyte said it's doing pretty well.  The company has raised two rounds totaling to $23.5 million in funding.  Since 2007, it has grown from two to 50 employees and launched offices in the UK, Hamburg and Zurich.  The company offers its product following a SaaS model.  It's subscription based and delivers based on the client's needs.  For example, if a client is delivering a million streams per month, they would opt into that service beginning in the low thousands.  Although Hall could not disclose whether Kyte was profitable or not, it said 2009 was the year it began the focus on offering services to its growing list of high profile clients and is feeling, "pretty good about 2010."