Tivù claims world-first with HbbTV Operator App deployment

Tivù claims world-first with HbbTV Operator App deployment
Joseph O'Halloran
| 11 September 2018

Italian free-to-view satellite TV platform provider Tivù, working with OTT platform enabler Vewd, is claiming to have become the world’s first operator to deploy an HbbTV Operator App (OpApp).
vews OpApp 11Sep2018
The OpApp specification standard enables development of applications that create a set-top-box like an experience without a physical device. OpApp has been a trend for 2018 and has already seen research work by companies such as Seraphic. For Tivù, embracing HbbTV Operator Apps means offering customers the freedom to choose any set-top box supporting the OpApp spec. When the device is activated on the network, the customer automatically receives Tivù’s application, tivùon, which turns the set-top box into a customised Tivùsat experience.

Vewd supplied its Core HTML5 SDK for connected TV devices, and three Vewd Core modules: the HbbTV module; newly released operator applications module; and media player module. The Media Player module enables OTT video playback in the tivùon app and uses modern streaming and DRM technologies, such as MPEG-DASH (DVB-DASH), and Marlin DRM.

To complete the OpApp experience for consumers, Tivùsat tapped HbbTV technical experts Yotta Media Labs to build the application, and Opentech, a leading South Korea set-top box manufacturer, to produce the STB supporting OpApp.

“We’re proud to be the first free-to-view TV operator to support OpApp, thanks to a great working relationship with our partners Vewd, Opentech and Yotta Media Labs,” remarked tivù CEO Alberto Sigismondi. “This Operator Application dramatically enhances the usability of interactive services and the viewer experience steps up to the next level; narrowing the gap with pay-TV’s user experience but without any subscription fee for the viewer. That’s why we aim to integrate OpApps into the next generation devices from 2019 onwards.”

“With HbbTV available in more than 35 markets, operator apps have the potential to transform the way hundreds of millions of people relate to their operator,” said Aneesh Rajaram, CEO, Vewd. “Operator Apps enable better experiences, new consumer-friendly business models, and retail opportunities, and easily scale on the screens customers use most. We’re pleased to be part of this historic first deployment along with Tivusat’s other partners, Opentech and Yotta Media Labs.”
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