Synacor Gets Bigger Grande Deal

Synacor said it has struck an expanded multiyear pact with  Texas-based Grande Communications that factors in a next-gen portal, Synacor’s Cloud ID TV Everywhere authentication systems, and the vendors multiscreen search and discovery metadata platform.

Financial terms were not announced, but Grande customers in markets such as Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Midland, Odessa, San Antonio, San Marcos and Waco, will get a newly-redesigned user interface via the Web and access to other components that are baked into the deal.

Synacor, which recently put up $24.5 million to buy email and messaging specialist Zimbra, also works with Mediacom Communications, BendBroadband (now part of TDS Telecom), Google Fiber, CenturyLink, Cable One, Charter Communications , Suddenlink Communications, WideOpenWest, Surewest Communications, Verizon Communications, and Sling TV, among others.

“Like the Texans we serve, we're proud of our independent, 'can-do' attitude that has enabled us to serve over 140,000 customers in communities big and small across Texas,” said Peter Drozdoff, vice president of marketing at Grande, in a statement.  “We are committed to providing superior customer service and as part of our ongoing evolution, we are proud to offer Synacor’s innovative solutions to give our customers the latest technological advancements available to access to their favorite content from any device of their choosing.”

“We’re delighted to extend and expand our longstanding partnership with Grande Communications,” added George Chamoun, president, sales & marketing, service providers, at Synacor. “Grande puts the utmost importance on serving their customers. Together, our teams are delivering on the promise of superior digital services, choice and flexibility by ensuring Grande subscribers have easy login experiences and easy access to all their favorite content, no matter the device.”