Juniper Networks last week acquired content delivery network provider Ankeena Networks for $100 million (€73.2 million).
Juniper said it would fold Ankeena's 65 employees into its Junos Ready Software group. Ankeena's current CEO, Rajan Raghavan, will become vice president and general manager of a newly-created content and media business unit.
Ankeena's technology, including its Media Flow Director streaming optimisation technology, will be integrated into its New Network product range to help meet demand for video and other media content.
Juniper Executive Vice President Manoj Leelanivas said online video viewership soared over the past year, with Nielsen reporting 138 million unique viewers in the US alone – a 16% growth.
“The time is now for networking companies to offer solutions that help service providers prioritise and deliver media solutions,” he said.
Juniper and Ankeena have a recent history, with Juniper last year extending their media delivery networks, and Ankeena supplying its Media Flow 2.0 technology for a Juniper product offering.
Zacks Investment Research said the merger was an ideal combination for both companies.