Stellar Entertainment strengthens content security with TPN Gold certification
This is a special feature from the June/July 2026 Seating & IFEC issue of PAX Tech on page 20.
Jonathan “Jono” Fagg, Senior Technology Strategist, Stellar Entertainment
Stellar Entertainment recently received the TPN Gold Star Shield, the highest certification tier available within the Trusted Partner Network framework, representing the successful completion of rigorous third-party audits across Stellar's content operations and security processes.
“For Stellar, the certification demonstrates operational maturity and validates that security is embedded throughout our workflow. It reflects documented, repeatable and auditable practices across every stage of the content supply chain, from content intake and preparation through to delivery,” Jonathan “Jono” Fagg, Senior Technology Strategist, Stellar Entertainment, tells PAX Tech.
He notes that the certification is not simply a compliance exercise; it provides industry recognition that Stellar is equipped to manage premium content at the highest level for studios, distributors and airline partners.
“As content workflows become increasingly digital and interconnected, having security built into day-to-day operations becomes a key differentiator,” he emphasizes.
Fagg joined Stellar Entertainment in April and brings valuable experience from organizations that have undergone significant digital transformation, providing a broader perspective on how emerging technologies can be applied within the aviation entertainment sector.
In the near term, Fagg says his focus will include deeper automation across Stellar's workflows, greater integration with OEM and partner ecosystems, and the continued development of AI-enabled capabilities that improve efficiency and scalability across the content supply chain.
As airlines expand entertainment offerings across seatback screens, personal devices and connected platforms, the challenge of protecting premium content has evolved
By taking a product-focused approach, Fagg plans to strengthen Stellar's ability to align technology decisions with the needs of both airlines and passengers.
“As passenger expectations increasingly reflect the personalized experiences offered by platforms such as Netflix and Spotify, the industry must evolve to deliver more flexible, connected and intelligent entertainment ecosystems,” says Fagg.
He notes that meeting such expectations requires workflow innovation and smarter content management as well as security frameworks capable of scaling alongside a more dynamic and interconnected content environment.
Protecting premium content
As airlines expand entertainment offerings across seatback screens, personal devices and connected platforms, the challenge of protecting premium content has evolved with new security considerations emerging for CSPs like Stellar.
At present, Fagg says that the most important security requirements airlines and IFEC stakeholders should understand include end-to-end encryption, auditable supply chain records, as well as vendor and supply chain security. He notes that the industry shift from seatback-only entertainment to personal devices and connected platforms expands the potential attack surface for premium content.
“Historically, content was stored on embedded systems within the aircraft environment. Today, content may move across airline networks, cloud infrastructure, multiple operating systems and passenger-owned devices, many of which sit outside the direct control of airlines and IFEC providers,” Fagg explains.
As a result, digital rights management must work consistently across a wider variety of devices and playback environments.
“Forensic watermarking has also become increasingly important, providing the ability to trace unauthorized distribution back to a specific point within the supply chain,” he adds.
Evolving digital content security
At the same time, connected ecosystems introduce additional supply chain risks. For Fagg, security can no longer be viewed exclusively through the lens of an individual provider's infrastructure.
“The security posture of every technology partner involved in the content journey has become a critical consideration,” he explains. “The industry is moving steadily away from physical media distribution towards fully digital delivery models. This transition reduces physical touchpoints, shortens delivery cycles, lowers operational costs and enables a more responsive passenger experience.”
Fagg explains that automation plays a central role in achieving this balance. It improves efficiency by reducing manual intervention, minimizing errors and accelerating time to delivery.
“As content volumes continue to grow, manual quality control and preparation processes become increasingly difficult to scale. By embedding security checks, watermarking and validation processes directly into the content supply chain, Stellar can improve efficiency while maintaining strong security standards,” he says.
Cloud-based workflows have also transformed content preparation, allowing for more frequent content updates while reducing dependence on onboard storage, particularly with connectivity improving. In addition, Stellar continues to invest in automation and AI-driven capabilities that support workflow management, metadata creation and content screening.
“More broadly, content operations within aviation are beginning to resemble modern streaming platforms rather than traditional broadcast or physical media workflows,” Fagg says. “The future will be defined by increasingly connected, data-driven and dynamically managed content ecosystems.”
