Canal+ Technologies, which is being bought by Thomson Multimedia, has launched an advanced version of its MediaHighway middleware. Canal+ said the new MediaHighway Advanced is first-to-market end-to-end MHP middleware for operators and set-top box manufacturers. MediaHighway Advanced profile leverages set-top box hard-drive capabilities to offer PVR services and aims to dramatically enhance interactive application capabilities.

In a separate announcement, Canal+ said it launched Russia’s first digital terrestrial television platform in St. Petersburg.