Umbrella Apps

Apps for the TV is fast becoming a hot topic. A recent survey by Appcelerator has found that more than 80 per cent of developers felt they would be making apps for televisions by 2015. The survey of more than 5000 developers shows that the number of apps for the TV will soon be equal to mobile and tablets.

Our own app, ANT Galio Move, has already received an excellent response from customers who recognise that tablet and smartphone applications can really enhance the viewing experience for viewers, whilst providing significant product differentiation and new revenue.

At IBC last month, we showcased a range of demos, to show how broadcast metadata can be used to provide integrated content from Twitter, Facebook, Wikipedia and iTunes. Viewers can follow tweets about the programme they’re watching, watch a movie trailer on YouTube or buy the soundtrack on iTunes.

John Moulding has described this type of application as ‘the Umbrella app’. An app that takes the usual campaign screen functionality like channel change and recordings and adding social media content, which is usually thought of as ‘second screen’ experiences. This gives Pay TV platforms the opportunity to become the gateway on tablets and smartphones within which individual programme-related experiences are accessed.

We’ve seen with ANT Galio Move that this type of functionality can be just as compelling with a free-to-air platform when the application has direct access to the TV device and its accompanying metadata. Companion applications will continue to evolve but we’re starting to see how combining traditional TV functionality such as streaming, navigation and control with online content can really improve the overall TV experience.

ANT brings ‘TV everywhere’ experience to your home

Today we’re really excited to announce the launch of our new companion device functionality, ANT Galio Move. ANT Galio Move allows consumers to take their TV experience beyond the living room, by streaming live and recorded content directly from the STB or TV via Wi-Fi to a companion device anywhere in the home. Users can also manage recordings, view the EPG and search for additional programme information, all without interrupting the main TV experience.

Industry analysts recently stated that 70 per cent of device owners use them whilst watching TV; we’ve developed ANT Galio Move in response to this growing demand for a ‘TV everywhere’ experience.

ANT Galio Move supports the development of new business opportunities for STB and TV vendors by introducing application sales and advertising revenues. For broadcasters and operators it enables the delivery of additional valuable content direct to the companion device, signalled from a live broadcast stream.

We will be demonstrating ANT Galio Move for the first time at this year’s IBC show in Amsterdam, 9 -13 September 2011. So come along and visit us in Hall 4, Stand Number 4.C98.

3D TV no longer just for movies

Canal+ has confirmed plans to launch a 3D channel in France by the end of 2010. This follows the recent announcement from BSkyB for its 3D channel, Sky 3D, to launch in April.

There’s been a lot of hype surrounding 3D TV particularly at the last IBC and CES shows which both touted new 3D technology solutions. It’s great to see these technologies make the move from the exhibition floor to the sitting room and start to become a reality.

3D TV is becoming increasingly popular for consumers as well as industry enthusiasts, it’s high profile usage in hugely successful films such as Avatar and the upcoming Alice in Wonderland is helping to maintain the momentum as did the first live sports broadcast in 3D seen in the UK last month.

This announcement from Canal+ shows that 3D TV is not just a fad or for early adopters and will soon hit the mainstream. People are curious to see what it looks like on both the big and small screen. The only question is, will there be enough content available to meet this increasing demand.

Taking in IBC

IBC has definitely not lost its buzz this year. From the conversations I have been having, the show seems to have attracted a good size crowd this year. What has really paid off for ANT this year, is our position. Our location in the EBU Village has placed us in the middle of conversations with broadcasters.

The turmoil with existing broadcast standards has been at the centre of a lot of these discussions. The restrictions of the red button service in the UK to extend to other web based services and similarly the restrictions of the MHP service in the Nordics, has driven excitement towards the HbbTV standard and our involvement.

What has been really interesting is the use of teletext across Europe. If you consider 1.2 million pages are accessed each week in Switzerland and 16 million in Germany, the importance of getting, news, sport and the weather through your TV is still very much an integral part of the viewing experience.

I’ve not had much chance to get around the show, so hopefully I will get chance to visit other stands today.

Gartner reports further IPTV growth

Gartner has published a report which predicts that worldwide IPTV subscriptions will rise sharply; reaching nearly 20 million by the end of 2008. The uptake of IPTV in Europe has always been strong and, unsurprisingly, the research shows that the largest number of subscribers are based in Western Europe.

This latest research reflects a pattern we’re seeing at ANT. Whilst at IBC earlier this month we witnessed a marked change in the discussions we were having with visitors to the ANT stand. Operators are now far more focussed on what they want to deliver and when their new services will launch. These discussions quickly lead to conversations regarding the next round of applications for IPTV. ANT demonstrated a portal approach at IBC which allows you to access online photos, videos and radio stations in addition to core TV applications such as the EPG. The introduction of on-screen chat whilst watching sporting events also proved to be popular among visitors to the stand. These new and innovative community based applications are set to drive the next generation of IPTV deployments.

Saleha Williams Shakes-up TelecomTV's Broadcasting by Broadband Panel at IBC

The consumer should be at the heart of the debate taking place between broadcasters, network operators and IT providers, argued Saleha Williams at one of TelecomTV’s opening broadcasts at IBC. The “Broadcasting by Broadband” panel session looked at how broadcasters are having the carpet pulled from under their feet as their knowledge becomes redundant in the new IP world. It asks whether the communications industry can offer advice and knowledge in understanding the networks.

Saleha battled it out with Nortel and Microsoft, maintaining that technology for technology’s sake is not what the industry needs.

To view the full interview please visit TelecomTV’s web site or click on the link here. You may be required to register.